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ATHENS – The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) has opened the Texas division of Wildlife Forever’s 2027 Fish Art Contest for entries. The Texas division of the contest will celebrate 20 years in 2027 thanks to the vision of Mr. Richard M. (Dick) Hart, a conservation leader who helped bring the program to the state. Mr. Hart was a successful business and family man with a passion for fishing, conservation, and TFFC.
It was Hart’s belief that educators are the key to encourage and inspire youth conservation education. To honor these educators, the national Richard M. Hart Educator of the Year Award was established in 2022. Educators across the nation can be nominated and recognized for their impact and inspiration of future stewards of the outdoors.
The Fish Art Contest is accepting entries until Feb. 28 as part of an international conservation education program designed to foster youth interest in fish, fisheries, and fishing.
“The Fish Art contest is just one way we can help our students connect with the outdoors,” said Darrel Malone, education and interpretation coordinator at TFFC. “As they research their chosen fish species and begin to learn about its habitat, they begin to find a personal connection to their fish. This connection can help inspire the future stewards of our natural resources. The Fish Art Contest is more than just drawing a fish; it is establishing a bond with the outdoors."
Contest participants must submit a completed online entry form and an original illustration of a fish from the curated freshwater and saltwater lists available on the Texas Fish Art Contest webpage. Educators can use a group entry form to save time. Entry categories include kindergarten, grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Applicants in grades 4-12 are also required to submit a one-page creative writing piece. Students may submit only one entry per year. Entries must be in 2D format and scanned as digital submissions only no later than Feb. 28.
The Texas Fish Art Contest’s Special Species Award showcases a focus species or set of species. In 2027, the species chosen is the American eel. Information on the American eel can be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) American eel fact sheet web page.
One winner will be chosen from all entries and spotlighted at the TFFC. Students must correctly label their artwork and have the fish be identifiable as the correct focus species, but do not need to submit additional paperwork for consideration.
Texas winners are awarded scholarship investment, featured in an exhibit at the TFFC, invited to a family fishing celebration to recognize their achievements and featured in TPWD’s Fish Art Contest Flickr album.
Additionally, winners will earn automatic entry to Wildlife Forever’s national contest. Texas students may choose to enter national specialty awards with fish not found in Texas; however, they will not be eligible for Texas state awards due to the one entry per student limit.
Educators who wish to have their students enter the 2027 contest can find entry forms, rules, guidelines and more on the TFFC Fish Art Contest website.
The Fish Art Contest is sponsored nationally by Wildlife Forever, Bass Pro Shops, Rapala, U.S. Forest Service, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Great Lake Fishery Commission, Yamaha Right Waters and the International Game and Fish Association. Statewide support is provided by the Friends of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.
Located in White Bear Lake, Minn., Wildlife Forever is a nonprofit, multispecies conservation organization dedicated to conserving America’s wildlife heritage. Working at the grassroots level, Wildlife Forever has funded conservation projects in all 50 states, committing millions of dollars to “on-the-ground” efforts. Wildlife Forever supports habitat restoration and enhancement, land acquisition, research and management of fish and wildlife populations.
For more information, visit the TFFC Texas Fish Art Contest website and the Texas Fish Art Program Facebook page.
