Immediate Release March 8, 2006

For More Information Contact Cynthia Shipley, Supervisor, Public Relations (416) 392-5938 Jennifer Donaldson, Bateman Program Coordinator Telephone: 800-563-9453 Email: [email protected]

March 8, 2006, Toronto - The seventh annual 2006 Robert Bateman National Wildlife Week Writing and Art Contest is launching at public zoos, including the Toronto Zoo, and aquaria across Canada. The Contest encourages youth to get to know their "wild neighbours". It's all about raising a generation who cares about conservation, sustainability, and biodiversity.

Students from across Canada are invited to submit art entries which depict backyard neighbours and writing entries which focus on what type of future they'd like for the Earth and the things that share it. Robert Bateman, Canada's foremost wildlife artist, launched the program in March 2000 in Vancouver. The first year it received 14,000 entries; since then it has expanded from a provincial contest to include all Canadian provinces and territories and has attracted hundred of thousands of entries from youth of all ages.

Winners will receive: an opportunity to have their work published in newspapers across Canada; a Congratulations Ceremony on June 9th, 2006, in Kelowna, BC; Ottawa, ON, or at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax, NS; personal written congratulations from Robert Bateman; their work published in the 2007 Robert Bateman Contest Calendar or the 2007 TD Friends of the Environment Special Edition Calendar; a wild gift bag filled with lots of prizes; their work published in Nature Canada's magazine and in the Canadian Federation's WILD Magazine; an opportunity to have their work posted on the www.gettoknow.ca website and other affiliated sponsor websites.

In addition, all schools that submit more than 100 entries will be entered in a draw to receive the following gifts for their school: a Gettoknow print signed by Robert Bateman; a one year subscription to the Nature Canada's magazine; a one year subscription to the Canadian Wildlife's WILD magazine; a wild gift pack from the World Wildlife Fund.

CONTEST DETAILS

• Participants must be 19 years old or younger
• All entries must be postmarked no later than April 22nd, 2006
• There will be writing and art winners selected from each category
• Winners will be contacted by May 12, 2006
• You can enter as many times as you like
• Contest information can be obtained by visiting www.gettoknow.ca

Entries from Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island MUST be mailed to: Canadian Wildlife Federation National Wildlife Week Contest Entries, 350 Michael Cowpland Drive Kanata, Ontario, K2M 2W1.

Entries from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North West Territories, Yukon and Nunavut, MUST be mailed to: National Wildlife Week Contest Entries, 901-1708 Kelowna, British Columbia, V1Y 9S4.

For more information: phone (250) 861-9474, Toll Free 1(877) 599-5777, fax: (250) 861-7090, or email: [email protected]