Art contest focuses on wildlife crossings

 The Tribal Wildlife Management Program invites Flathead Indian Reservation schools along U.S. 93 to participate in the People’s Way Partnership’s Safe Passage for Wildlife Student Art Contest.

This is an opportunity for students to learn about a nationally significant, biologically important project within their community — the U.S. 93 wildlife crossing structures.

 U.S. 93 runs from Evaro to Polson and is the most extensive wildlife-sensitive highway design effort in North America, created in part to maintain wildlife habitat connectivity.

It includes 42 wildlife crossing structures and 16.6 miles of wildlife fencing along its 56-mile segment on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Art contest judging will be provided by highway representatives. The following prizes will be awarded:

First place: iPod Shuffle

Second place: Wildlife tracking guide, sling back pack, and U.S. 93 place name CD

Third Place: Messenger bag, U.S. 93 place name CD, and Dairy Queen gift certificate

The deadline is Dec. 15. All submitted posters are eligible to be included in a promotional calendar and may be presented at art shows across the region.

The poster contest is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes with support from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.

Contact Whisper Camel at 883-2888, extension 7224; or by email at whisperc@cskt.org for more information.