2007-2008 Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Contest Now Open

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ANNAPOLIS— The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife & Heritage Service is asking for original artwork submissions for the 11th Annual Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Design Contest, to be judged on March 31, 2007 at the Patuxent National Visitors Center in Laurel immediately following the judging of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest. Both contests will be held in conjunction with the 18th Annual Patuxent Art Show.

Entries are open to Maryland residents and non-residents alike and must be received by 4 p.m. on March 23. All entries must be original, previously unreleased artwork. Each contestant may submit one entry for a non-refundable $10 entry fee, and two dimensional media in either black and white or color will be accepted. Designs must be horizontal in orientation, 7 inches in height and 10 inches in width, and must arrive in a white mat not to exceed 9 inches in height and 12 inches in width.

Proceeds from the sale of the Black Bear Stamps go toward the Black Bear Conservation Fund and are used to compensate farmers in Maryland experiencing agricultural damage caused by black bears. For more information on the contest or the Black Bear Conservation Stamp Fund, please visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/bbcp/index.asp or contact Doug Wigfield at dwigfield2@dnr.state.md.us or (410) 713-3852.

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January 11, 2007

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov