The winners of the “Don’t Let it Loose!” Youth Art Contest have been announced by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Invasive Species Program.

As part of the California Invasive Species Action Week, 126 youths from across California submitted their original artwork. Participants were asked to send artwork depicting invasive species that might be released by pet/aquarium owners, how their release impacts our natural resources, or what one could do with unwanted pets/plants instead of releasing them. The top three posters from each grade division were selected by members of the CDFW’s Invasive Species Program and the poster which best exemplified the contest theme was selected as the CDFW Invasive Species Program Choice Award.

Noah Petersen (5th Grade), of Fresno (Fort Washington Elementary School), was named the winner of the Invasive Species Program Choice Award. Peterson created a poster outlining multiple ways to be a responsible pet owner and avoid letting invasive species loose.

The top winners of the 2017 Invasive Species Action Week Youth Art Contest divisions were:

Grades 2-4
First Place: Jennifer Kang, 7, Mountain View, Springer Elementary School

Second Place: CJ Andelman, 10, Santa Barbara, Homeschool

Third Place: Lucia Wilkinson, 7, Carmichael, Cowan Fundamental Elementary

Grades 5-8
First Place: Aaliyah Zamorano (6th Grade), Roseville, Excelsior Elementary School

Second Place: Jaya Wollenberger (6th Grade), Roseville, Excelsior Elementary School

Third Place: Maria Ramirez, 14, Santa Cruz, Mission Hill Elementary School

Grades 9-12
First Place: Esmé Kim Ison, 17, Santa Monica, Santa Monica High School

Second Place: Summer Knight, 15, Roseville, Woodcreek High School

Third Place: Alexa Aitchison, 16, Chula Vista, Eastlake High School

CDFW congratulates all the participants for their excellent work, and thanks the teachers, nature centers, volunteer organizations and parents who encouraged, educated and assisted the students.

For more information or to obtain artwork images, please contact the Invasive Species Program at invasives@wildlife.ca.gov.