FWC SPONSORS CONTEST FOR NEW MANATEE DECAL

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is looking for artwork to create a new manatee decal. This is the 14th year for the FWC Manatee Decal Art Contest. The contest is open to all middle-school-age students who attend public, private or home schools in Florida. Artwork submitted to the FWC by Jan. 28, 2005 will be accepted in the competition.

The winning artwork will become the design for the 2005-06 manatee decal. Finished decals are full-color, waterproof and designed to stick on boats or vehicles.

“The past two years’ manatee decal art contests with Florida middle school students were such a success, we decided to continue with these students again this year,” FWC manatee decal coordinator Bonnie Abellera said. “It is great to see the artistic variety, but the most rewarding thing for us is seeing how interested kids are in Florida conservation issues.”

This art project encourages middle school students to support protection efforts by learning about manatees and their role in Florida’s environment.

Students will need to work through their art teachers, who will submit the artwork to the FWC. Each middle school is allowed to send up to five entries for consideration in the contest. Art teachers can request a copy of the contest rules and requirements from the FWC by calling (850) 922-4330. More information is also available at www.myfwc.com.psm.

Decals provide important funding for manatee programs, usually amounting to more than $70,000 annually. Tax collection offices now are distributing the current decals. Each year the decals are available, through county tax collector offices, to individuals who donate $5 or more to the Save the Manatee Trust Fund. Money from the sale of decals supports manatee protection efforts such as rescue, rehabilitation, research and public education.