2026 DC “Meet the Species” Poster Contest

Presented by City Wildlife and the Mary Desha Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Complete Rules

1. The poster art must:
   • Fit the theme of getting to know DC’s Endangered & Threatened Species and prominently feature one of the listed species. Those species are:
     • northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)
     • bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii)
     • Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus)
     • shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)
     • dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon)
     • Hay’s Spring amphipod (Stygobromus hayi)
     • Additionally, DC has designated several species at risk of disappearing from the District. That list can be found here.Be an original 2-D work of art using any medium, so long as the finished artwork can be digitally scanned on a flatbed scanner.
   • Be no larger than 11” x 17”.
   • Be created in 2026.
   •  Contain no copyrighted material.
   • Contain no threatening, offensive, or abusive words or art.
   • Not include the student’s name on the artwork
     
2. All posters must be submitted by October 17, 2026.
3. One entry allowed per student per contest year.
4. Students must be currently enrolled in 3rd – 5th grades and reside in the District of Columbia.
5. All posters must have the following information on the back:
   • Student name
   • Grade
   • School
   • Parent/teacher name
   • Parent/teacher email
     
6. Winners will be selected via an online public vote. In the event that there are too many entries to reasonably put on one online form, organizers reserve the right to have a panel of independent judges select the entries that will appear in the public vote.

   Awards are as follows:

   • One award will be given for the best of each grade level
     • $25 bookstore gift card
     • Tote bag and stickers from City Wildlife
   • One overall award
     • $50 bookstore gift card
     • Baseball cap, tote bag, and stickers from City Wildlife
     • Copies of the poster will be printed and distributed around the city to help raise awareness.

To submit

Please email marydeshachapter@gmail.com for the address to submit posters. For groups of 20+ posters, pickup can be arranged.

Winners will be notified via email after the contest deadline. 

All artwork may be used by City Wildlife / Mary Desha Chapter for promotional purposes.

Please email any questions to info@citywildlife.org or marydeshachapter@gmail.com.