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Virginia DWR Announces 2024 Restore the Wild Art Competition Winners
Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is pleased to announce the winners of its fourth annual Restore the Wild Art Competition:
- Ginko Bergel – Lovettsville, VA
- Cassandra Kim – Richmond, VA
- Savannah Brooks – Boones Mill, VA
- Cydney Ji – Chantilly, VA
- Tam Norman – Aylett, VA
- Shelley Whittington – Ashland, VA
Each year, the contest calls for submissions from the public that reflect Restore the Wild’s mission to restore and create natural habitats vital to the survival of Virginia’s wildlife. This year’s focus was on the eastern spotted skunk, a Tier 4 Species of Greatest Conservation Need with a unique forest habitat and declining population. The winning artworks will promote Restore the Wild’s mission throughout 2024.
Judges selected winners in the categories of Natural History Illustration, Artistic Expression, and two Youth age groups. Ginko Bergel’s pencil depiction of the eastern spotted skunk won the Natural History Illustration category. Cassandra Kim’s “Little Miss Eastern Spotted Skunk with Trout Lilies” took the Artistic Expression award. Youth winners included Savannah Brooks and Cydney Ji in different age categories. Tam Norman’s linoleum print and Shelley Whittington’s artwork were chosen be featured in Restore the Wild commemorative merchandise.
“It’s such an honor! I’m a young professional in my field of illustration, so finding opportunities for work and competition are very difficult, but important to me,” said Ginko Bergel, of Lovettsville, Virginia. “I have a love for all things nature and outdoors and a particular fondness for the family mustelidae. [I am] doing my part, however small, to clean up in my local area and create artworks that celebrate and educate the public about our world. I am working on getting my Master Naturalist certification and hope to use that knowledge to further educate and inspire.”
DWR’s Restore the Wild initiative aims to conserve wildlife and their habitats. Over $150,000 raised in the first four years supported habitat restoration projects across Virginia. Learn more about Restore the Wild and support habitat conservation by visiting the exhibition, which features all 73 contest entries, at Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center, open to the public on weekdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. until March 29.
About Restore the Wild
Virginia has more than 900 species of wildlife whose numbers are in decline mostly because of impacts to their habitat—natural areas that provide necessary food, water, and shelter. DWR is the lead agency in Virginia for the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat. DWR’s Restore the Wild initiative allows DWR to expand the work the agency does to preserve, establish, and maintain vital wildlife habitat areas and keep Virginia’s wild places wild. Memberships and donations to Restore the Wild provide funds directly for DWR habitat projects that benefit Virginia Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
Find out more about DWR’s Restore the Wild initiative and consider becoming a member or making a donation to help restore and maintain essential habitat for Virginia’s wildlife.
Photo Credit: Virginia DWR