The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has announced the 2026 World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest, inviting young artists from around the world to raise awareness for wildlife conservation through visual art.
The annual contest, held in partnership with the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is open to artists aged 4 to 18.
Submissions must be hand-drawn using traditional mediums such as markers, crayons, coloured pencils, or paint.
This year’s competition centres on the official World Wildlife Day theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.”
The theme highlights the essential role plants play in ecosystems and in the well-being of communities across the world.
IFAW said, “Wild animals and plants play a vital part in the intricate web of life, supporting ecosystems and natural processes that humans rely on to survive.”
The organisation emphasised that art can play a key role in communicating this message.
Through the transformational power of art, young artists will help raise awareness of conservation challenges and spotlight the benefits people gain from wild plants and animals.
Tens of thousands of medicinal and aromatic plant species are harvested globally, with many of them being vital to human health and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them.
However, IFAW warned that these plants face mounting threats.
“The species are at risk of extinction due to the ongoing impacts of habitat loss, overharvesting, illegal trade, and more,” IFAW noted.
In line with the 2026 theme, contestants are encouraged to feature plants prominently in their artwork.
“Numerous animals rely on plants for medicinal and aromatic purposes, creating a natural link between flora and fauna in this year’s entries,” they said.
Submissions must be uploaded electronically via the IFAW website, and the deadline for entries is February 1, 2026.
Finalists and winning pieces will be showcased during the official World Wildlife Day celebration on March 3, 2026.
World Wildlife Day was established in 2013, when the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 3 as the annual date to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora.
Since then, the day has become a global platform for conservation advocates, governments, and communities to highlight the importance of protecting biodiversity.
By placing medicinal and aromatic plants at the centre of this year’s theme, the 2026 Youth Art Contest aims to broaden public understanding of their importance.
It also seeks to inspire young artists to use creativity as a tool for conservation.
IFAW said, "The contest offers a unique chance for youth to contribute to a global conversation and to reflect the deep connections between nature, culture, and human well-being."
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