*** CANADIAN SCHOOLS ONLY ***

This contest is an invitation for youth to get out of doors and personally connect with their neighbors of other species. The Get to Know Society and the Canadian Wildlife Federation hope that entering this contest will provide students with a better understanding of their wild neighbors and, in the process, lead them to become more connected to nature and passionate about protecting the environment. The Get to Know website is full of resources to help teachers effectively use the arts to connect their students with nature.

2011 is International Year of Forests, a year in which we can celebrate the importance of forests as habitats for wildlife, critical elements of planetary health, and areas of incredible beauty. In recognition of this evolution, the theme of the 2011 Get to Know Contest is "This is My Forest". Whether it?s a towering boreal wooded area or a single tree in your backyard, tell us about your forest today!

Experiencing nature firsthand should be part of the process of creating an entry. This involves going outside, visiting a zoo, participating in the National Wildlife Week Walk for Wildlife, going to a natural museum, aquarium or science center, or observing an animal or plant that has been brought to your school.

This contest is open to Canadian participants at all grade levels. Winners will be selected from each of the following grades:

• Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 4
• Grades 5 to 7
• Grades 8 to 10
• Grades 11 to 12

• The exclusive opportunity to join American contest winners in August 2011 at the week-long "Get to Know Parks Canada Art and Nature Camp" at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site and Gulf Islands National Park Reserve in Victoria, BC (provided by Parks Canada for ages 12 and up only).
• $100 cash for the art piece that is selected for the cover of the 2012 Get to Know Calendar.
• Your entry published in the 2012 Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest Calendar and the fall edition of the Canadian Wildlife Federation WILD Magazine.
• Wildlife Habitat Canada will select one winning piece to be featured on their 2012 Youth Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp.
• An art prize package from Opus Framing & Art Supplies.
• Personal written congratulations from Robert Bateman.
• VIP invitations to special events held across Canada.
• Your entry published on www.gettoknow.ca and www.cwf-fcf.org.
• The opportunity to speak with the media about your Get to Know experience.

Digital Photography Entry Prizes:

• The exclusive opportunity to join American contest winners in August 2011 at the week-long "Get to Know Parks Canada Art and Nature Camp" at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site and Gulf Islands National Park Reserve in Victoria, BC (provided by Parks Canada for ages 12 and up only).
• $100 Cash Prize for photography category winner.
• Wild prizes from sponsors including Canadian Wildlife Federation, Parks Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, and many others.
• Your entry published in the 2012 Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest Calendar and the fall edition of the CWF WILD Magazine.
• A digital camera from Panasonic.
• Personal written congratulations from Robert Bateman.
• VIP invitations to special events held across Canada.
• Your entry published on www.gettoknow.ca and www.cwf-fcf.org.
• The opportunity to speak with the media about your Get to Know experience.

Link to official rules – http://www.gettoknow.ca/ca/contest/rules.php

Parks Canada is celebrating 100 years of national park service! For your chance to win even more prizes, be sure to enter the draw for the Parks Canada Centennial Prize pack by submitting a photo of yourself in a National Park or Historic Site. Enter here.

Also view our prior year contests for United States and Canada.

Enter Now

All entries must be submitted by a parent or teacher. If you are a student, please ask a parent or teacher to come to this website, and use either the “Parent” or “Teacher” button to submit your entry.