The 2017 “Lake and Stream Habitats” Calendar. Delaney Keirn’s piece, “A Moth’s View,” is pictured on the cover. Keirn won fifth place in the eleventh grade category.

WINONA LAKE — The Center for Lakes & Streams is drawing attention to Kosciusko County’s local waterways with their annual student art contest, inspired by the lakes and streams.

The ninth annual Lakes & Streams Art Contest is now accepting entries.

The theme for this year’s contest is “Life at the Lake.” Students are encouraged to submit artwork depicting Kosciusko County lakes and streams and the local species which inhabit these waters. Submissions are due Wednesday, April 12, 2017.

Fourth through 12th grade students from Kosciusko County public, private and homeschools are encouraged to enter.

Cash prizes will be given for first through sixth places in six different grade categories: Fourth and fifth grades, sixth and seventh grades, eighth and ninth grades, 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade. Winning artwork will be displayed around the county.

No artwork depicting invasive species will be considered. For example, trumpeter and tundra swans are acceptable but mute swans are not. Instead, the center encourages promoting the value of species of plants and animals native to Indiana in local lakes.

As part of the contest announcement, the center is selling calendars for 2017 that showcase last year’s winning artwork. Calendars are $5 each.

For contest information or to purchase a calendar visit lakes.grace.edu or call (574) 372-5100, ext. 6453.

This year’s contest is sponsored by the City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility, Clear Water Car Wash, Didage Sales Company, Inc., Kay Young-Todd Realty, Kosciusko Community Hospital, Lake City Bank, Medtronic, MutualBank, Surgical Power, Inc., The Watershed Foundation, The Papers and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.

The Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College conducts applicable research, engages and educates residents, and collaborates with other organizations in efforts to make the lakes and streams of Kosciusko County cleaner. For more information or to support their efforts, visit online.