Kelowna BC – The Robert Bateman Get to Know Program, along with Parks Canada, announced the winners of the 2010 Get to Know Canadian Art, Writing and Photography Contest at a special World Oceans Day event held at Summerhill Pyramid Winery on June 8, 2010. Winners from eastern Canada will be recognized at a special event to be held at Toronto Zoo on June 18.

A total of 37 winners were chosen from over 5000 entries in art, writing and photography categories; 13 winners were chosen for art and 12 each from the writing and photography categories. The winners range in age from 4 to 17, and come from across Canada. For more information see the attached list of winners in each category.

The Get to Know Contest was launched in 2000 to motivate young people in Canada to “get to know their wild neighbours” and actively connect with nature using the creative arts. Since its inception, it has grown into Canada’s largest nature art, writing and photography contest for youth, reaching out to thousands of young people and establishing deeper relationships between the next generation and the environment.

“It is inspiring to see so many young Canadians, who are entering the contest, are getting outside to observe their wild neighbours first hand,” notes Bateman. “Every child’s path to becoming a wise environmental steward begins with exploring and discovering the natural world. Canadians should be proud of the amazing talent of their young artists, writers and naturalists. I certainly am!”

“The Government of Canada believes it is important to give youth the opportunity to connect with nature and express this connection through art,” said Mr. Ron Cannan, MP for Kelowna – Lake Country. “As we celebrate the 125 th anniversary of national parks in Canada, we are proud to host the winners of this year’s Robert Bateman Get to Know art contest in Waterton Lakes National Park where there will certainly be no shortage of artistic inspiration and stimulating outdoor pursuits.”

Winners of the 2010 Get to Know Contest will be awarded various prizes, including Panasonic digital cameras; prize packages from Opus Art and Framing Supplies and Scholastic Canada; and the publication of winning art and writing pieces in the 2011 Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest Calendar. In addition, all winners over the age of 12 will be invited to the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, where they will be joined by the winners of the US Get to Know Contest, for a week of outdoor activities and events hosted by Parks Canada.


About the Get to Know Program

The Get to Know Program provides youth with direct, hands-on learning opportunities through cutting-edge educational initiatives based on current research and developed in conjunction with leading educators. The Get to Know Program envisions a continent-wide shift in thinking, towards an understanding that conserving biodiversity is our shared responsibility. By encouraging young people to regard other species as important members of their community, we are working to restore the link between youth and the environment, and foster the next generation of passionate environmental stewards.