Step 2: How to Enter

Art

Robert Bateman, Official Endorser of the Art Category

Do you love to draw or paint and carry a sketchbook with you? If so, this category has your name on it!

Art Prize:

In addition to all the general prizes, art winners will receive an art prize package from Opus Framing & Art Supplies.

The top art winner will also have their artwork published on the cover of the 2013 Get to Know Calendar and be featured on the 2013 Youth Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp.

Art Entry Rules:

• Art entries should be of a ‘wild neighbour’. This can be a plant or animal found in your community or in a natural area you visit during the course of the contest. Domestic pets or farm animals like dogs, cats and horses are not eligible
• You must know the common and scientific name of the main species portrayed in your entry
• Art entries should be full colour and no bigger than 17" x 12"
• Mailed in entries will be returned only if: they do not win and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) that fits the artwork is included with the submission. Entries are separated during the judging process. Teachers who wish to ensure all class entries are returned are reminded to submit a SASE with each entry.

Writing

Margaret Atwood, Official Endorser of the Writing Category

Do you love reading and getting lost in the magic of words? If this speaks to you, be sure to enter this category!

Writing Prize:

In addition to the general prizes, writing winners will receive a book prize package from Scholastic.

Writing Entry Rules:

• Entries must be 40 words or less (Yes, forty!)
• Writing entries should be of a ‘wild neighbour’. This can be a plant or animal found in your community or in a natural area you visit during the course of the contest. Domestic pets or farm animals like dogs, cats and horses are not eligible
• You must know the common and scientific name of the main species portrayed in your entry

Photography

Garth Lenz, Official Endorser of the Photography Category

Are you a shutter bug and see the world through the lens of a camera? Enter this category and show us your work!

Photography Prize:

In addition to the general prizes, photography winners will receive a digital camera from Panasonic.

Photography Entry Rules:

• You can submit a maximum of 50 photos
• You must take the photo(s) yourself
• Photography entries should be of a ‘wild neighbour’. This can be a plant or animal found in your community or in a natural area you visit during the course of the contest. Domestic pets or farm animals like dogs, cats and horses are not eligible
• You must know the common and scientific name of the main species portrayed in your entry
• Be sure to use the highest quality setting on the camera – photos must be at least 3 megapixels, and ideally 6 or higher
• Only JPEG images are accepted (no RAW/DNG images)
• Photos may not be altered (like Photoshop) in any way and must be taken outdoors during an experience in nature
• Entries must be submitted online

Videography

Howard and Michelle Hall, Official Endorsers of the Videography Category

Are you a visual storyteller whose favourite words are "action" and "cut"? Consider this category your next project!

Video Prize:

In addition to the general prizes, video winners will receive a digital video camera from Panasonic.

Video Entry Rules:

• All entries, including any still images, music, and video clips that are part of the video, must be original
• All entries must be either 30 seconds or 60 seconds exactly in length
• Video entries should be of a ‘wild neighbour’. This can be a plant or animal found in your community or in a natural area you visit during the course of the contest. Domestic pets or farm animals like dogs, cats and horses are not eligible
• You must know the common and scientific name of the main species portrayed in your entry
• You are welcome to work with friends, siblings, classmates, etc. in creating a video; however, only one prize package will be awarded per team
• All entries must be uploaded to Youtube or Schooltube and a contest entry form must be filled out

Music

Calum Graham, Official Endorser of the Music Category

Do you speak the language of rhythm, harmony and beat? Be sure to gain inspiration from nature and compose a song for submission into the brand new music category!

Music Prize:

In addition to the general prizes, music winners will receive the Les Stroud Signature Harmonica from Hohner.

Music Entry Rules:

• All entries must be original compositions
• Entries can be entirely instrumental or include lyrics
• If lyrics are included in the composition, all lyrics must be original and written by the entrant; a lyric sheet should be included with your contest entry form
• You are welcome to work with friends, siblings, classmates, etc. in creating a composition; however, only one prize package will be awarded per team
• All compositions must be under 3 minutes in length
• Music entries should be about a ‘wild neighbour’. This can be a plant or animal found in your community or in a natural area you visit during the course of the contest. Domestic pets or farm animals like dogs, cats and horses are not eligible
• You must know the common and scientific name of the main species portrayed in your entry
• Entries can be submitted through the Contest’s submission portal, YouTube or Schooltube, but an entry form must be filled out regardless of how the file is submitted