Endangered Species Postcard Contest Fun For K-8th Graders

Ever hear of a hellbender, like the one pictured here? What about a mountain madtom? Although these species sound scary, they’re actually quite gentle, even shy. They’re also disappearing from Ozark rivers and streams—the only places in Missouri that provide them suitable habitat.

This year, Missouri’s K-8th-grade students can help Missouri’s endangered species just by learning and caring about them. Our second annual postcard contest makes it fun and rewarding to get to know endangered Ozark river and stream species. Students’ challenge is to make a postcard illustrating the message “Ozark River and Stream Habitat—We Gotta Have It!”

Any Missouri K-8 student is eligible to participate, but it’s important to review the contest guidelines and download the postcard template before starting.

Four age classes are eligible to participate: K–2nd grades, 3rd–4th grades, 5th–6th grades and 7th–8th grades. The first-place winners in each of the four age classes will get their postcards printed and sold in MDC Nature Shops, with proceeds going to endangered species habitat conservation. That means the winners’ artwork and names will be known throughout the state. How cool is that?!