Kids’ art contest turns Florida wildlife into a creative conservation lesson

For twenty years straight, a quiet art contest in Cape Coral has been quietly shaping how kids see Florida’s wild side. Over 6, 400 children have drawn everything from gopher tortoises to manatees, turning classroom lessons about saving species into colorful posters and paintings. The contest started small—just 50 entries in the first three years—but grew as themes got sharper. When organizers focused on dolphins in 2013, nearly 620 kids joined in. By 2017, Florida panthers inspired 520 entries, showing how young minds light up when they connect art with real animals in trouble.The contest’s long-time leader, who handled everything from picking themes to calling winners with the good news, is now stepping back. She picked species in need—like the Florida black bear, highlighted this year after hunting rules changed without clear science. The 2025 event drew 455 entries, proof that kids still care when grown-ups make big choices about nature. Winners will get their art framed by a volunteer who’s been part of the project for a decade, turning scribbles into keepsakes that hang in libraries and online. It’s a reminder that creativity isn’t just for artists—it can be a way to speak up for creatures that can’t speak for themselves. Not everyone realizes how much work goes into running a contest like this. Someone has to write news releases, book speakers from science groups, and chase down contact details for hundreds of families. Yet the real magic happens in the phone calls to winners, where shrieks of joy fill the background. It’s a small moment that makes years of effort feel worth it. The big question now: who will take on that role next? Without a replacement, the contest could fade away, even though the need to teach kids about conservation hasn’t.