April 23, 2010: The Halton District School Board encourages students to participate in a contest through the environment-focused Robert Bateman Get to Know Program.

The theme of this year's contest, launched on Earth Day, is "Celebrate Biodiversity."

The Get to Know Program – created by acclaimed Canadian artist Robert Bateman to inspire youth to embrace the environment – invites students, 19 and under, to submit artwork, a piece of writing or photographs about wildlife or biodiversity online at www.gettoknow.ca/ca/contest/promo-kit.php until May 28, 2010.

The Halton District School supports this environmental education and awareness initiative.

There is an opportunity for artwork to be published in the 2011 Get to Know Contest Calendar or chosen as the 2011 Youth Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp, produced by Wildlife Habitat Canada. Students can also win prizes including a weeklong stay at Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, hosted by Parks Canada.

The Robert Bateman Get to Know Program has been inspiring connections between children and nature in the outdoors for more than a decade. Bateman believes having students learn local species' names and characteristics will create increased awareness and understanding of wildlife.

For more information, visit www.gettoknow.ca.

For additional information, contact:
Ron Ballentine, Coordinator, Environmental Education
and Science and Technology
Halton District School Board
(905) 631-6120, ext. 433 or ballentiner@hdsb.ca