YOUNG ARTISTS FOCUS ON ENERGY USE

The effort Rebecca Clark put into her drawing "Turn Down The Heat While Sleeping – Save Energy" paid off today with a $300 cheque made out to her school's resource centre.

The Grade 5 student at Dr. Isman Elementary School in Wolseley is Saskatchewan's first place-winner in a calendar art contest promoting energy conservation. She was one of 540 Saskatchewan participants.

"This is an effective awareness building activity," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said as he presented the cheque to Miss Clark today at the Legislative Building. "It promotes the kind of thinking tomorrow's leaders need regarding natural resources and long term sustainability. And it shows that Saskatchewan students have a keen interest in energy issues."

The 2005 National Energy and the Environment Calendar Contest is an initiative of Natural Resources Canada and is co-sponsored in the province by Saskatchewan Learning and Saskatchewan Industry and Resources.

Robbie Umpherville, a Grade 6 student from Bready School in North Battleford won second prize for his entry titled "Heal the Earth."

The annual contest is open to students in kindergarten through Grade 8. A winning entry from each province and territory is featured in the Energy and the Environment Calendar, which is distributed across Canada.

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For More Information, Contact:

Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-8277