White Bear Lake, MN – Wildlife Forever has named the national winners for the 2025 Art of Conservation® Fish Art Contest, a program that unites the practice of art and conservation to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. This year’s contest received 6,315 entries from students in grades K–12 across 47 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 44 countries around the world.

Best of Show Award: Sandra Wang, Maryland – Largemouth Bass

Art of Conservation Award: Jamila Shin, New Jersey – Sturgeon & Round Goby

2025 National 1st Place Winners:

• Kindergarten–3rd Grade: Aaron Chen, North Carolina – Rainbow Trout
• 4th–6th Grade: Ruiyi Fan, Arizona – Hammerhead Shark
• 7th–9th Grade: Sandra Wang, Maryland – Largemouth Bass
• 10th–12th Grade: Sara Zheng, Arizona – Largemouth Bass

View all winning artwork at theartofconservation.org/2025-fish-art-winners

“The Fish Art Contest offers a unique opportunity to connect students with the outdoors through the lens of science and creative expression,” said Veronica Mangio, Education & Marketing Manager at Wildlife Forever. “Through hands-on learning, young people are able to explore the beauty of aquatic species while discovering the critical importance of conservation.”

Since its inception in 1999, the Fish Art Contest has inspired more than 86,000 youth participants to learn about aquatic habitats and fish species. The 2025 contest was made possible thanks to the generous support of Bass Pro Shops as the Title Sponsor, along with the USDA Forest Service, International Game Fish Association, Guy Harvey Foundation, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Yamaha Rightwaters, National Fish Habitat Partnership, Western Native Trout Initiative, and Rapala.

“Congratulations to all the national winners of this year’s Fish Art Contest,” said Misty Mitchell, Director of Conservation Programs at the Johnny Morris Foundation. “The talent and passion expressed through these young artists are a powerful reminder of how creativity can inspire real conservation action. We are honored to support this initiative and celebrate the next generation of environmental stewards.”

To learn more about the Fish Art Contest and view other winning artworks, visit www.FishArt.org. Reach out to Veronica at info@wildlifeforever.org for more information or about partnership opportunities.