2004 Turtle Poster Contest

“Save our Sea Turtles” by Alice Hallahan, age 13, first place upper division winner of the 2003 contest

The earliest turtles can be traced back to the time of the dinosaurs, over 200 million years ago.  Turtles and tortoises are living fossils that have survived and adapted to monumental natural changes, but now they are endangered by human activities.  Unless serious conservation measures are taken, many of worlds 270+ species will face extinction.

The contest encourages children and adults to explore the threats affecting the turtles and tortoises of the world and to propose possible ways to help save these unique creatures.  Past contests have received over 1,000 entries from all 50 states, Canada, and Bermuda.  See list of winners of the 2003 Poster Contest.

This is a wonderful project for interdisciplinary learning, linking the creativity of art design with scientific inquiry and literacy.  Through creating posters, we hope to make people more aware of the problems facing turtles and encourage their creative abilities to develop possible solutions to the threats affecting these interesting animals.

Official Poster Contest Rules

• The contest is open to children and adults, pre-kindergarten through college.
• The poster should focus on one species of turtle or tortoise from anywhere in the world and the threats that are affecting its survival. Some examples might include, but are not limited to, habitat destruction, excessive collection for food or the pet trade, pollution, and the release of sick animals (such as pet turtles) to the wild.
• Contestants are strongly urged to conduct research on the species they have chosen.
• Each poster should have an illustration or picture as well as a written slogan or message.
• Posters should be created on a heavy-weight poster board and may measure either 12" x 18" or 18" x 24" in size.
• Suggested mediums include magic markers, inks, paint, or collage.
• Name, address, phone number, age, grade, and the name of the school and teacher (where appropriate) must be clearly printed on the back of the poster.
• All entries must be post-marked by June 1, 2004.

Entries should be mailed to:

Turtle Poster Contest, c/o Lorri Cramer
New York Turtle and Tortoise Society
750 Columbus Avenue, Suite 4W
New York, NY 10025, USA

Entries will be grouped according to age and grade level for judging.  All entries will be judged by a panel of conservationists, artists and teachers on the basis of content, originality, and artistic merit.

Prizes will include a $100.00 savings bond for the Grand Prize Winner, plus official Turtle and Tortoise Society T-shirts, books, stickers, and a one-year membership to the New York Turtle and Tortoise Society.  The semifinalists will be exhibited at the 30th Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show in New York City in June 2004, and winners will be announced in October 2004. All posters become the property of NYTTS.

Additional Information

• If you have questions concerning appropriate subject matter and rules, please e-mail Lorri Cramer: LCramer@nytts.org.
  
  
• For books about about turtles especially for children, Lorri Cramer has compiled the Children’s Booklist.