2003 Poster Contest Winners National Capital Region Wildlife Festival

		To find out more about invasive species and how they affect our country's wildlife and environment, go to the Canadian Wildlife Federation website, where you can download the invasive species kit or use the database for research. Check out other invasive species websites here.
This year's theme highlights growing concerns about the devastating impacts of alien species on Canada's wildlife and the environment. As more and more non-native animals and plants overrun our lands and waters, they force native species out of their habitats, and wreak havoc on ecosystems, biodiversity, and the web of life. Non-native, alien, and exotic are terms we use to describe life forms dwelling outside their natural geographic range. Although, some of these species may be benign, others are harmful and take a huge toll on wildlife habitat. Any non-native species that lives and grows where it is unwelcome and causes ecological harm is considered invasive.
	Barbara Campbell from the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada--Ontario Region coordinated the Poster Contest for the ninth year. A request for submissions was sent to all schools in the English and French School Boards in Ottawa. Barbara received numerous posters on the theme, "Native Species....Nature's Choice". Nathalie Rodigue was Master of Ceremonies.

Grade 1 and 2 Winners Grade 3 and 4 Winners Grade 5 and 6 Winners Grade 7 and 8 Winners		Michael Leveille of Educarium Dinosaur Nature Centre lectures with drawings.
		Approximately 150 children from 6 classes, who were winners and their classmates, were bused to the Canadian Museum of Nature to tour the museum and enjoy a presentation by Michael Leveille of the Educarium Dinosaur Nature Centre with drawings to illustrate the effects of invasive species on an ecosystem. Certificates and prizes were given to the children and the $100 gift certificates were received on behalf of the first place winners' schools from Joe Dafoe of the Museum Boutique. The winning posters were displayed at the event and at the Wildlife Awareness Event at the Carlingwood Shopping Centre on April 4, 5 and 6. Children are encouraged to enter the Poster Contest to enlighten them with respect to the needs of wildlife and how they can help conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. This year, students designed posters that answered the question “How is wildlife affected by non native species”

National Capital Region Wildlife Festival 2005
Poster Contest Winners 2003 "Native Species, Nature's Choice"