MEDIA RELEASE 16 September 2010 Launch of the Schools Coastcare Poster Competition 2010 The 2010 schools Coastcare Poster Competition will be launched on 21 September at Table Cape Primary School with the theme Native Trees Help Biodiversity. Now in its fifth year, the competition is open to all primary schools in the Cradle Coast region and encourages students to investigate coastal environmental topics and present their findings as educational posters. Last year’s theme Marine Invaders, Coastal Raiders produced a series of creative posters which were distributed in the region by competition organisers, Cradle Coast Natural Resource Management (NRM). Some of the student’s messages included ‘Got the urge? Pull out sea spurge!’, ‘Marine pests: when too many become harmful’, and ‘Don’t risk our local waters: keep pet fish in their tanks’. This year’s theme examines the benefits of coastal biodiversity; the importance of rehabilitating coastal reserves; the relationships between coastal animals, birds, insects and plants; and encourages students to find ways that they can get involved in caring for their coast. The Native Trees Help Biodiversity theme also provides schools with another avenue for recognising and celebrating the International Year of Biodiversity. A teacher’s information kit supporting the school competition is being distributed by Cradle Coast NRM and copies can be obtained by emailing nrm@cradlecoast.com. Entries are open until Friday 26 November and will be assessed by a panel of judges from the Cradle Coast region with expertise in art and environmental science. A presentation of winning entries for the 2010 competition will be made in Burnie during Coastcare week on Monday 6 December. Winning posters will be professionally printed to help spread the word on biodiversity and the role of native vegetation along our region’s coasts. End… Media invitation: The Coastcare Poster Competition launch will be held at Table Cape Primary School with students and staff on Tuesday 21 September at 9.30am. Winning entries and students who participated in the 2009 competition will be in attendance. Attached: Examples of poster entries from 2009. Cradle Coast NRM works with community, industry, private enterprise and government to manage and improve our natural resources to ensure a healthy future for our region. This project is supported by Cradle Coast NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country. Cradle Coast NRM is a committee of the Cradle Coast Authority. Media Contacts: Anna Wind Facilitator Team Leader Cradle Coast NRM Ph: 0429 804 449
Amanda Wilson Communications Manager Cradle Coast Authority Ph: 03 6431 6285