Newark student honored for art, essay on NJ’s rare wildlife

NEWARK, NJ — The nonprofit organization Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey is celebrating the winners of the 18th annual Species on the Edge Art and Essay Contest with an online art show throughout the month of June. The statewide educational contest is open to all fifth-graders and inspires students to explore wildlife and biology by writing a well-researched essay and creating original artwork on New Jersey’s endangered and threatened species. The first-place winner from Essex County is Yamilex Fernandez, from First Avenue School in Newark.

“In this incredibly challenging time when we appreciate the natural world around us more than ever, these talented children inspire us with their vibrant artwork and passionate essays about rare wildlife species in New Jersey, from the bobcat to the piping plover,” CWF Executive Director David Wheeler said. “We certainly wish that we could have honored them in person, surrounded by their families and teachers, but protecting their health through social distancing is obviously our top priority. We hope that they can join us for an in-person field trip later this summer if health guidelines allow it.”

Students were asked to draw a picture of one of New Jersey’s more than 80 endangered and threatened wildlife species and compose an essay about how the animal became endangered and what can be done to help protect it. The contest encourages students to learn about local environmental issues, express their concerns for the world around them, think creatively about ways to improve it and consider how their actions impact the natural world.

  First Avenue School