2026 Kindergarten-1st-place, by Leia Adams, Kay R. Pace School of Arts, Jonesboro, Ga
Teachers and students across Georgia are invited to celebrate wildlife through art by participating in the 37th annual Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest.
The goal of the competition for grades K-5 is to generate knowledge of and appreciation for the state’s biodiversity. The initiative is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and The Environmental Resources Network, or TERN, friends group of DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section.
The 2026-2027 theme – Wildlife Great and Small: We Need Them All! – highlights the importance of protecting Georgia’s rich natural heritage. Over 4,000 species of plants and wild animals as well as tens of thousands of invertebrates live here. From North Atlantic right whales to sugar maples to wood storks to field ants, species come in all shapes and sizes.
As inspiration for their Give Wildlife a Chance artwork, students can observe living things in their backyard, schoolyard or local park. Notice not only the larger plants and animals but also smaller, less obvious lifeforms. Additionally, students can visit the Georgia Biodiversity Portal (georgiabiodiversity.org) to learn about rare plants and animals statewide and locally.
The artwork must be based on this year’s theme and adhere to contest rules. Participants will enter their drawings and paintings at the local level. Typically, that’s done through the student’s school, but it also can be through another group hosting the poster contest, such as a homeschool organization, after-school camp, Scout troop or library branch. Top school-level entries proceed to the state contest at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. First-, second- and third-place winners will be chosen for four divisions: kindergarten, first and second grade, third and fourth grade, and fifth grade. The deadline for schools to submit digital photos of state-level entries is March 1, 2027.
The top 12 state-level winners’ artwork will be showcased on DNR Wildlife Resources Division and State Botanical Garden of Georgia social media sites and through a statewide news release. Winners also will receive award ribbons and may be recognized in other ways. For contest rules, awards, entry forms and other information, georgiawildlife.com/postercontest.
Photo: courtesy GA DNR
