Newsroom

Winners chosen from 7000 entries celebrating nature and creativity

June 17, 2010 (Various) –The Robert Bateman Get to Know Program, along with Parks Canada, announced the winners of the 2010 Get to Know Canadian Art, Writing and Photography Contest at a special World Oceans Day event held at Summerhill Pyramid Winery on June 8, 2010 (Kelowna, BC). Seventeen winners attended this event, and were formally congratulated in person by Robert Bateman and renowned marine artist Wyland. Further award ceremonies have and will be taking place across Canada to recognize the remaining winners: the Devonian Botanic Garden near Edmonton hosted an event on June 14, a special event will be held at Toronto Zoo on June 18, and a final event will be held at the Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton on June 25.

Overall, a total of 37 winners were chosen from 7000 entries in art, writing and photography categories; 13 winners were chosen for art and 12 each from the writing and photography categories. The winners range in age from 4 to 17, and come from all across Canada. For a list of all winners please see the list below. Nature Canada, the premier sponsor of the Get to Know Contest, will also be profiling a selection of winners on their blog at www.naturecanadablog.blogspot.com.

The Get to Know Contest was launched in 2000 to motivate young people in Canada to "get to know their wild neighbours" and actively connect with nature using the creative arts. Since its inception, it has grown into Canada's largest nature art, writing and photography contest for youth, reaching out to thousands of young people and establishing deeper relationships between the next generation and the environment.

"It is inspiring to see so many young Canadians entering the contest and getting outside to observe their wild neighbours first hand," notes Bateman. "Every child's path to becoming a wise environmental steward begins with exploring and discovering the natural world. Canadians should be proud of the amazing talent of their young artists, writers and naturalists. I certainly am!"

Winners of the 2010 Get to Know Contest will be awarded various prizes, including Panasonic digital cameras; prize packages from Opus Art and Framing Supplies and Scholastic Canada; and the publication of winning art and writing pieces in the 2011 Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest Calendar. In addition, for the first time this year, all winners over the age of 12 will be invited to the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, where they will be joined by the winners of the US Get to Know Contest, for a week of outdoor activities and events hosted by Parks Canada.

About the Get to Know Program
The Get to Know Program provides youth with direct, hands-on learning opportunities through cutting-edge educational initiatives based on current research and developed in conjunction with leading educators. The Get to Know Program envisions a continent-wide shift in thinking, towards an understanding that conserving biodiversity is our shared responsibility. By encouraging young people to regard other species as important members of their community, we are working to restore the link between youth and the environment, and foster the next generation of passionate environmental stewards. For more information visit www.gettoknow.ca.

Media Contact

Mary Krupa-Clark
Director, Get to Know Program
(250)980-3969
mkrupa@gettoknow.ca

Chris Sutton
Communications Director, Nature Canada
(613) 562-3447 ext. 248
csutton@naturecanada.ca

List of Winners and Location for 2010 Get to Know Contest