2024 Monmouth County / First Place / Lindsy Jimenez Garcia

Species on the Edge

Art + Essay Contest

The Species on the Edge Art + Essay Contest empowers fifth-grade students to advocate for an at-risk wildlife species through a well-researched, creative essay and original art piece. Students must choose a species that is listed as endangered or threatened in the State of New Jersey. A complete list of acceptable species can be found in the contest kit or by clicking below.

The contest is free and open to all New Jersey fifth graders. All entries must follow guidelines listed in the contest kit.

One winner will be selected from each New Jersey county. Each winner will see their art featured in a beautiful calendar; have their art exhibited at venues across New Jersey; celebrate with an awards ceremony; and enjoy a trip to Sedge Island, a unique environmental center that is open by invitation only.

All entries must be digitally submitted or postmarked by February 20, 2025. Entries must include one essay, one piece of artwork, and one entry form. Submission directions and entry forms for mailed-in entries may be found in the contest kit.

We realize that our Online Field Guide with over 200 rare species has been an invaluable resource for students, educators and many other people. We are working to get it back online in the near future. If you need information about a particular species, please contact us and we can send you information about a particular species. For now, the link below will take you to the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s website with more information.

To our Environmental Educators

The Species on the Edge Art + Essay Contest is a great addition to a fifth-grade curriculum! Should you mail in your students’ work, please be sure to include a completed entry form for each student. Entry forms must be signed by a parent or guardian. Thank you for educating our future generations about rare wildlife and their importance in our ecosystems!