The annual Threatened Species Art and Writing Competition is back to celebrate Biodiversity Month in September, for the 14^th consecutive year.

The regional environmental education program has Camden Council, Campbelltown City Council and Wollondilly Shire Council teaming up, with the competition being open from Monday 26 July and closing on Friday 27 August.

Children aged between five and 12 years, who reside in the Macarthur region, are encouraged to take part in the competition as an opportunity to learn about a local threatened plant or animal and represent it as either a creative writing piece or an artwork.

Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place getters in the Art and Creative Writing categories, as well as crowning an overall winner for the Waste to Art category. The eco pack prizes will contain art supplies, veggie and flower patch kits, educational books and DVD’s and Australian wildlife themed games.

The Primary School with the highest number of student entries will win the school prize pack.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli, said that the annual competition was an exciting way to teach young residents about the environment they live in.

“The competition is a great engagement tool for schools, teachers and any parents at-home learning during the COVID-19 stay at home orders,” Cr Fedeli said.

“For the second year in a row, the competition will be held online, with entries to be submitted through an e-form on Council’s website. I’m looking forward to seeing the innovative ways our young residents present current environmental issues!”

For more information, visit Camden.nsw.gov.au and search ‘Threatened Species Art and Writing Competition’, or call Council’s Natural Resource Project Officer on 4654 7777.