WELLS — Children aged 12-18 years old are eligible to submit artwork to the Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge’s Sense of Wonder Art Contest.

March’s theme is “Teen Art.” The Friends will accept photos, stories, poems or any other artistic interpretation of experiences visiting the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is celebrating 50 years since being named for the nation’s foremost and forward thinking biologists, Rachel Carson.

The contest is one of several events and activities the Friends and Refuge staff have organized for public participation until August. Each month has a different theme for those who submit to the contest.

Go to friendsofrachelcarsonnwr.org/art-contest to submit up to three items until Tuesday, March 30.

Each submitted art item must depict how the natural habitats and wildlife of the refuge are experienced by the artist who submits their work. The Refuge is comprised of trails in Wells, Kennebunk, Kittery, Saco, Biddeford and a few other areas.

Youths can submit a photo of their creation in JPG format no smaller than 1000 pixels on the longest side. Their poetry and/or short prose can be in either a Word or PDF file.

One winning selection from each media designation — visual art and writing — will be selected on Wednesday, March 31, announced to the winner and news media, and compiled with other monthly winning selections and published in a 2022 wall calendar commemorating the Refuge’s 50th anniversary celebration. The “People’s Choice” recognition will be awarded in 2022 for the calendar’s cover.

April’s contest theme is “Spring on the Refuge,” and submissions of poetry and photography are accepted by all ages. The deadline is April 30.

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