Every year, the San Bernardino County Museum Association organizes the Tom Bennett Art and Environmental Science Competition in conjunction with the Wildlife Art Festival. Students in grades kindergarten through 6th may enter a class scrapbook depicting nature and wildlife based on the year’s theme. The competition is sponsored by a grant from the San Bernardino Fish and Game Commission. An awards presentation is scheduled for Saturday, November 19 at 2 p.m. in the museum’s Fisk Gallery.

“This program is a fun way for teachers to incorporate art and science into their language arts curriculum,” said Jolene Redvale, curator of education and competition organizer.

This year’s competition theme was California Wetlands. Students were required to write about and illustrate animals and plants that occur in wetlands habitats. Some books show species diversity, while others are wetlands field guides. In one category, students played with humor as they compared and contrasted the lives of wetlands species with their own.

“I heard many giggles from the judges as they looked at the competition entries,” said Redvale. “The poetry is genuine. It’s obvious that the students worked hard to create their scrapbooks”

The First Grand Prize was won by Roosevelt Elementary (San Bernardino) 1^st and 2^nd grades, Esmerelda Ordonez, teacher. Second Grand Prize went to Del Norte Elementary 3^rd and 4^th grades in Ontario, Kelly Albers, teacher. First Place, Kindergarten, was awarded to Yucaipa Christian School, Yucaipa, Linda Liles (teacher); First Place and Second places, 1^st and 2^nd grades to Midland Elementary, Moreno Valley (Karen Nelson) and Yucaipa Christian School (Mrs. Martinez), respectively; First Place, 3^rdand 4^th grades to Phoenix Academy of Apple Valley (Judith Quon); and First Place, 5^th and 6^th grades to Railroad Canyon Elementary, Lake Elsinore (Glenda Haas).

The 29^th annual Wildlife Art Festival at the San Bernardino County Museum runs Saturday, November 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival is organized by the San Bernardino County Museum Association with platinum sponsorship from the James Ramos Family and support from Bass Pro Shops, Macy’s, San Bernardino County Fish & Game Commission, PrintProPlus.com, John Biddick and Associates, Beaver Medical Group, Mr. and Mrs. James Glaze, Ted and Jo Dutton, Ayers Hotel Redlands, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith LLP, the Ramona-Country Carvers, Century 21 Lois Lauer Realty, Party Plus Rentals, and Wiens Family Cellars.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. General admission is $8 (adult), $6 (military or senior), $5 (student), and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.