Young artists worldwide are invited to participate in the eighth annual United Nations World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest, which encourages them to explore the vital connections between plants and wildlife. The 2026 theme, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage, and Livelihoods, highlights the crucial role these plants play in human health, biodiversity, and livelihoods. The contest is hosted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in partnership with the CITES Secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
IFAW emphasizes that art allows young people to envision new futures for nature. Contest participants are encouraged to illustrate the dynamic relationships between wildlife, plants, and human communities, demonstrating how each can act as a steward for conservation. Medicinal and aromatic plants are foundational to traditional healthcare systems, contribute to modern medicine, and support industries such as cosmetics, food, agriculture, and luxury goods. Globally, around 50,000–70,000 species are harvested, with nearly 1,300 listed in the CITES Appendices, many of which face threats from habitat loss, over-harvesting, and illegal trade. Over 20% of these species are considered threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List, making their conservation a global priority.
CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero noted that medicinal and aromatic plants exemplify the connection between biodiversity and human well-being, and young artists’ creativity reflects the innovative solutions needed to conserve these vital species. The contest is open to young artists aged 4–18, who are invited to submit original hand-created artworks depicting wildlife together with medicinal or aromatic plants, ideally showing interactions such as habitat use, animal-plant relationships, or sustainable human harvesting practices.
The contest closes on 1 February 2026 at 11:59 p.m. GMT. Submissions are made online through the IFAW art page, and participants are divided into four age brackets: 4–6, 7–10, 11–14, and 15–18. A judging panel, including representatives from IFAW, CITES, UNDP, and guest conservation artists, will select 12 semi-finalists, one grand prize winner, and “Best in Age” winners for each bracket. Winners will be announced during the official UN World Wildlife Day celebrations on 3 March 2026, and their artworks will be showcased in high-level events and global IFAW campaigns.
The contest encourages young people to think creatively about the essential relationships between plants, animals, and people, fostering a new generation of conservation-minded artists. Last year, the contest received over 3,400 entries from 140 countries, highlighting the global talent and passion of young conservationists.
