DNR Announces 2024 Keep Wildlife Wild Poster Contest Winners

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the winners of the Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest. This year’s theme was “Safe in Their Home.”

Fourth, fifth and sixth graders across Wisconsin were invited to submit posters that spread the word about keeping all wildlife healthy and, most importantly, wild.

The Keep Wildlife Wild program began in 2014 with a focus on providing information about wildlife species’ natural behaviors, tips on how to determine if a wild animal is truly orphaned and what to do if someone finds a wild animal in need of assistance. The contest's goal is to create a poster that teaches the importance of enjoying and observing wildlife in the wild and not keeping wildlife in homes or as pets.

During the warmer months of spring and summer, the frequency of human-wildlife encounters increases, especially those involving young wild animals. While most of these encounters are harmless, there are times when well-intentioned people disrupt wildlife because they mistake a lone wild animal for an orphan.

The Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest is a fun way for kids to help spread this important message. The DNR encourages students of all ages to learn how they can help keep wild animals in Wisconsin safe and healthy by visiting the Keep Wildlife Wild webpage.

Fourth-grade winners:

• First place: Delaney Darton from Eagle River
• Second place: Adelaide Dorsey from Neenah
• Third place: Lillian Jaeckel from Milwaukee

Fifth-grade winners:

• First place: Belle Manula from Sheboygan
• Second place: Ishanvi Bansal from Sun Prairie
• Third place: Drew Schroeder from Glendale

Sixth-grade winners:

• First place: Paige Rife from Mosinee
• Second place: Ellen Irving from Brooklyn
• Third place: Abigail Gray from Madison

All the winning posters are available on the DNR’s website.

Guidelines and dates for the 2024-25 Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest will be released in fall 2024.