Green Hands USA: America Volunteers

Around the world, thousands of species are threatened with extinction. Now kids can help call attention to the plight of these creatures by participating in the 2011 Endangered Species Day Youth Art Contest.

The annual contest is sponsored by the Endangered Species Coalition, will have winners in four age categories: K-Grade 2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12. A national grand-prize winner will also be selected. The grand prize winner will win a trophy and also receive a round-trip flight to Washington, D.C., for him/herself and one guardian to attend a reception in May.

This year's contest focuses on North American species, specifically those on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s list of "Spotlight Species," like the Elfin woods warbler (shown in our photo here).

For full information and an entry form, visit the Endangered Species Day Youth Art Contest website here. But hurry! The deadline is March 15.

Endangered Species Day will be "celebrated" on May 20.