YOUNG ARTISTS TAKE ON THE ONE TONNE CHALLENGE

A Grade 4 student from Eastend is the Saskatchewan winner in a national contest promoting energy conservation. The contest attracted 500 student participants from across the province with its theme, "Take Part in the One Tonne Challenge".

Brett Bird from Eastend School won with his illustration "Use The Sun". His artwork will now be included in the 2006 Energy and the Environment Calendar that will also feature contest winners from all provinces and territories. Eastend School will receive a $300 donation for its resource centre in Brett's name.

The calendar contest is an initiative of Natural Resources Canada and is co-sponsored in the province by Saskatchewan Learning and Saskatchewan Industry and Resources.

"Energy conservation benefits all of us in so many ways," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "The contest shows that students all across Canada are giving serious thought to the environment and recognizing how they can do their part to use less energy."

Breanne Kushneriuk, a Grade 8 student from Rivier Academy School in Prince Albert, was runner-up in the Saskatchewan contest with her illustration entitled "Save Energy".

The students received prize packages including sweatshirts, books, and laminated copies of their winning entries.

The annual contest, which has been running since 1991, uses winning artwork from students aged 6-13 to promote a theme of climate change action through wise energy use.

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For More Information, Contact:

Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-1691