Student competition draws light to non-native species

High school students and teachers have until March 20 to submit entries in the "Don't Let it Loose" invasive species education media contest.

The competition, which features a $400 scholarship top prize, is sponsored by the Oregon Invasive Species council to educate students and the public about the threats posed to Oregon by releasing non-native species.

The media-design contest has two categories, poster and computer animation, with the object to convey the contest theme, "Don't Let it Loose."

For details and contest rules, go to stjr.nl/Invasives_competition.

The website also has links to materials for teachers and students, including links to media resources.

Second place earns $250 in scholarships, and $150 goes to third. Teachers of winning students also will receive a $400 stipend for their class. The six top finishers in each category also will get an annual membership in the Native Plant Society of Oregon.

Projects are applicable to students in science, art, media or technology and can be entered as a class project as well as by teams or individual students.

Examples of non-native invasive species can include aquatic or terrestrial plants, animals or fish that includes escaped or released pets, or introductions to the state that arrive via illegal sales from the internet.

Partners in the competition include the Oregon State University Watershed Invasive Species Education Program and Oregon Sea Grant's Watersheds and Water Resources.