WHAT: Help the Los Angeles Zoo kick off the statewide Robert Bateman Get to Know™ Contest by coming to the Zoo for a day of fun activities! Visit various education stations, attend a meet and greet with Smokey Bear, Ranger Rick and Woodsy Owl, and practice for your contest entry by creating your own work of art!

The Get to Know™ Contest is designed to encourage participants to learn more
about neighboring wildlife, leading them to become more connected to nature as well as more passionate about environmental conservation.

To help inform potential contest participants about California wildlife, the Zoo
will have four education stations set up. These fun and interactive booths will
teach visitors about the Zoo’s conservation efforts with California condors,
brown pelicans, desert tortoises and harbor seals.

Since 2000, the Get to Know™ program has been Canada's most exciting and
impacting nature art contest. This is the first time the contest will ever take place in the United States. The contest is open to U.S. residents 18 or younger. It begins on September 26, 2009 and ends on November 30, 2009. Those interested can enter an original work of art, short written passage or digital photograph. Winners will have their art published and will enjoy other exciting prizes and events.

WHEN/WHO: Official Press Event Saturday, September 26 at 9:00 a.m. with
City of Los Angeles Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Fourth District
Zoo Director John Lewis
Marine Life Artist Wyland
U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell
Get to Know Director Mary Krupa-Clark

WHERE: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Park in the Zoo’s main lot and proceed to ticket booth number 11. To
request photos or RSVP, call (323) 644-4273. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m.