The Department of Natural Resources today invited Grade 5 students to learn more about the province�s forests and start work on their drawings. The deadline for submission is June 12.

"We feel Grade 5 students are at a good age to start thinking about the importance of our forests and possible careers related to the protection and sustainability of this resource," said the Honourable Kathy Minister Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. "National Forest Week is an important opportunity for us to reach out and raise public awareness and it is always interesting to see how our children view the forests and the role the forest plays in their lives."

National Forest Week this year is from September 20 to 26. The poster contest will have three regional winners � one from each of the three forest management regions � Eastern, Western and Labrador. An overall provincial winner will be chosen and 12 entries will be used on the 2010 National Forest Week calendar.

Judging will be done by the National Forest Week Committee and will be based on originality, creativity and adherence to the topic, Forests: A place to live � a place to grow.

Contest details, official rules, information on prizes and contact information are available on the website at www.gov.nl.ca/nr. Prizes will be awarded during National Forest Week 2009.

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Media contact:

Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca