Nature Connection Contest By Lora Losi

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: How do you get today’s children to get unplugged and go outside to experience and value nature? Space Coast Audubon and Merritt Island Wildlife Association actually managed to do this with their Nature Connection Contest.

The contest involved Brevard School students getting outside and then creating art, a poem, short essay or photograph. Students in grades Kindergarten through 12 submitted hundreds of great works. The Judges had a difficult time narrowing the entries down to the best which were displayed from April 1 to 10 at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge’s visitor center.

The winning students, parents and teachers attended an award ceremony April 6 at the Visitor Center. The top 3 entrants in each category received gift certificates to the Bookery where they could choose from a great selection of nature related objects. The prizes were supplied by both Space Coast Audubon Society and Merritt Island Wildlife Association.

NEXT MISSION? Get students outside on the refuge to experience and celebrate 50 years of Space for Wildlife!!