Teachers are invited to participate in the Tom Bennett Art and Environmental Science Scrapbook Competition, sponsored by the San Bernardino County Fish and Game Commission and the San Bernardino County Museum Association. This year’s theme is “Migratory Birds” and the entry deadline is Tuesday, November 9, 2010.

Many species of birds undertake long migrations from wintering to breeding grounds. Southern California enjoys the comings and goings of birds like yellow-rumped warblers, white-crowned sparrows, kingbirds, and various species of ducks. Learning about bird migration is a great way for families to enjoy nature, get creative, and share their experiences with museum visitors.

New this year is the “Family Poster Competition” that provides an opportunity for families to work together. “I’m excited abut the family poster competition that we have added this year,” said Curator of Education Jolene Redvale. “Families can really express their creativity by creating a poster that informs, invites, or persuades. Everyone can participate, since the guidelines are designed to accommodate all ages and experience levels.”

For the classroom scrapbook entries, students work together with their class to learn about wildlife and produce a class scrapbook. The results are stunning, combining art and nature study to create products that everyone enjoys during the Wildlife Art Festival in November.

Competition prizes include a free field trip, a Museum on the Road outreach program, and gift certificates to the Museum Store for the winning classes, and $100 in Museum Bucks for families to spend any way they want. Five poster entries will win Museum Bucks prizes.

All scrapbook and poster entries will be on display at the museum during the Wildlife Art Festival, Saturday November 20, and Sunday, November 20, 2010. Students and families that submit entries are invited free of charge to attend the awards ceremony on Saturday, and to enjoy the wildlife art that fills the museum.

Teachers and families can find the competition guidelines on the museum’s website at www.sbcountymuseum.org. Click on the Wildlife Art Festival banner, then on Children’s Art and Environmental Art Contest. Guidelines are written to make the competition accessible to all classes, including special education and home schools.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays from 9am to 5pm. 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.