REGION – The Huron-Manistee National Forests (HMNFs) received 900 entries for the 2023 Kirtland’s Warbler Young Artists Contest from kindergarteners thru eighth graders. Overall, entries are up from the 793 received in 2022 from individual students and classrooms across the Great Lakes and The Bahamas.
The top 3 artists:
- In 1st place, to be featured on the front cover of the calendar, is Nakiah C., a 7th grader from Deep Creek Middle School on Eleuthera, The Bahamas
- In 2nd place, to be featured on the back cover of the calendar, is Jon P., a 5th grader from Tarpum Bay Primary School on Eleuthera, The Bahamas
- In 3rd place, to be featured on the inside of the front cover of the calendar, is Kallie K., 4th grader from Brethren Elementary School in Kaleva, MI
Entries to the ‘Kirtland’s Warbler Young Artists Contest’ must be original and demonstrate an understanding of the Kirtland’s warbler or any other creatures that live in northern Michigan’s unique jack pine forests, or its winter habitat site in The Bahamas.
The calendar showcases the top 18 entries on its October 2023 – December 2024 pages (15-months), a profile of the Kirtland’s warbler history, and thumbnails of artwork from the top artists who received Honorable Mentions. Additionally, this year’s calendar will feature previous 1st place cover artwork from the last 20 years. Additional top winners will be featured on the monthly pages and include:
- Alyvia G. from Rose City Schools
- Payton B. from Mio-AuSable Elementary
- Kade S. from Rose City Schools
- Aubrey V. from Lewiston Elementary
- Avery P. from Grayling Elementary
- Onyx M. from Ella White Elementary
- Rafael J. from Ludington
- Veronica A. from Washburn Elementary
- Hazel E. from Grayling Elementary
- Faith K. from Grayling Elementary
- Omarrion K. from Tarpum Bay Primary
- Braydon S. from Surline Middle School
- Lauryn H. from Surline Middle School
- Sabine S. from Vanderbilt Area Schools, and
- Hailey H. from Surline Middle School
“It’s awesome that we’re able to continue this contest and outreach program every year to increase awareness for a conservation-dependent species. It’s so rewarding to have so many schools and youth participate from across the Great Lakes region and The Bahamas,” said Dana Meder, District Wildlife Biologist, Mio Ranger District. “We are very lucky to partner with Huron Pines andAmeriCorps to host Marah Ranke this year, who did a great job in outreach and follow-up presentations to the interested classrooms and organizations,” Meder added.
Meder went on to explain how the Kirtland’s Warbler Festival, held annually the first full weekend of June in Roscommon, showcases the Youth Art Contest winner’s artwork on their annual festival button and showcases the top 18 and honorable mentions during the festival.
Initiated in 2003, the contest is a collaboration of the USDA Forest Service Huron-Manistee National Forests, Huron Pines AmeriCorps, Marguerite Gahagan Nature Preserve, American Bird Conservancy, The Bahamas National Trust, Kirtland’s Warbler Audubon Society, Michigan DNR, AuSable Valley Audubon Society, and Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance. The contest’s intent is to teach children about the rare Kirtland’s warbler and its habitat. Proceeds of the calendar support the USDA Forest Service Kirtland’s warbler educational efforts.Calendars should be available in early June at all five HMNFs Offices.
To learn more, go to our Kirtland’s warbler page.
