2006 Robert Bateman Writing and Art Contest Winners

The Maritimes Awards Ceremony for the 2006 Robert Bateman Writing and Art Contest will take place at the Museum of Natural History on Friday, June 9, at 3:30 p.m.

There are three national winners in each of the four categories, two of which are from Nova Scotia. Heather Smith from Antigonish County, and Jonathan Johnstone from North Sydney were selected to receive awards in the Grade 11 to Grade 12 art category. The two students will receive their awards at the museum this Friday from artist Alan Bateman, son of artist Robert Bateman.

Friday's writing and art awards are part of a program titled Gettoknow. The program promotes raising a generation who cares about conservation, sustainability and biodiversity.

"The Gettoknow program is based on Robert Bateman's philosophy that caring begins with knowing," said project co-ordinator Jen Donaldson. "In order to Gettoknow our neighbours of other species, we must get outside and experience nature for ourselves."

The contest began in 2000 and is exclusive to Canada. This year there were about 5,500 entries with 24 winners; 12 in art and 12 in writing. To date there have been 168 winners. This year 1,050 entries came from Atlantic Canada while last year only 200 were received from the area.

"It is through partnerships like the Gettoknow program that we see our youth fostering an appreciation of nature for themselves and future generations," said Janey Maltby, Museum of Natural History manager. "We are proud to see two Nova Scotian youth as winners."

Other contest winners will be congratulated in Kelowna BC and Ottawa Ontario on the same day. The Halifax event is open to the public and admission is free.