The Texas State-Fish Art Contest, headquartered at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC), reminds Texas teachers and students that the deadline for entries in the 2016 State-Fish Art Contest is March 31, 2016.

The contest is open to any student in public, private or home schools in grades K-12. Students must draw or paint any recognized state fish. Complete contest details and entry forms can be found at www.tpwd.texas.gov/fishart.

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) provides funds for scholarships for first-, second- and third-place Texas winners in each of the four grade-level divisions. First place in grades 10–12 wins $1,000; second place $750; third place $500. Prizes in the K–3, 4–6 and 7–9 grade levels are $100 for first; $75 for second; $50 for third. Student art from the Texas contest is featured on TTBC tickets. The next TTBC will take place on Lake Ray Roberts in May 2016.

Additional support for the Texas contest is provided by the William E. Armentrout Foundation and Friends of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

The Texas State-Fish Art Contest is part of Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Contest. The TTBC also provides a travel allowance for Texas first-place winners and their families to attend the national awards ceremony.

Educators who wish to have their students enter the contest can download the free “State-Fish Art Contest Lesson Plan” at www.statefishart.com. The interdisciplinary curriculum includes lessons and activities, a species identification section profiling each state fish, a glossary and student worksheets.

Located in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, Wildlife Forever is a non-profit multi-species conservation organization dedicated to conserving America’s wildlife heritage. Working at the grassroots level, Wildlife Forever has funded conservation projects in all 50 states, committing millions of dollars to “on-the-ground” efforts. Wildlife Forever supports habitat restoration and enhancement, land acquisition, research and management of fish and wildlife populations.