Minnesota Artist Wins The 14th Annual Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Design Contest

Annapolis, MD (April 1, 2010) — Rebecca Latham’s painting entitled “Autumn” is the winner of the 2010-11 Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Contest. The entry shows a black bear strolling thru the autumn woods.

The entries were judged before a large crowd at the 21st Patuxent Wildlife Art Show March 27 at the National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, Md.

“Ms. Lantham’s painting was chosen from 16 entries coming from as far away as Minnesota and Canada, said Bob Beyer, associate director of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service. “We received entries from five states and Ontario and five entries from Maryland.”

Ms. Latham is a realistic wildlife and nature painter. She works primarily in watercolors and holds memberships in numerous prestigious fine art societies around the world. Rebecca’s artwork and paintings are exhibited in galleries and shows throughout the US and abroad.

Rebecca’s primary goal is to use her work to help the creatures she paints as well as their habitats. She participates in numerous wildlife and habitat conservation fundraising events to increase awareness, and has generated thousands of dollars for wildlife conservation through her work. Her paintings have been featured on several conservation/hunting stamps including the 2003 Minnesota Wild Turkey Stamp and the Manitoba Conservation Stamp. To see more of Rebecca Latham’s work, visit http://www.lathamstudios.com.

Proceeds from the sale of the Black Bear Stamps and other related items are used to compensate Maryland farmers experiencing agricultural damage caused by black bears. These proceeds are added to the Black Bear Compensation Fund established by the Maryland General Assembly. To purchase Black Bear Conservation Program items go to http://dnr.maryland.gov/giftshop/index.asp.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 467,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 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 12 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