Students invited to get artistically green for chance to win a $7,500 environmental grant for their school

- TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Earth Day^® Canada launch student art contest -

TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2011 /CNW/ - Know a young budding artist? TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) and Earth Day® Canada invite teachers and parents to kick off the school year on a green note with the TD FEF and Earth Day Canada Art Contest. Elementary school students across the country can submit an original drawing of their favourite part of nature for the chance to have their artwork featured on a limited edition TD FEF reusable shopping bag and win a $7,500 environmental grant for their school.

"We regularly hear from teachers about the importance students place on protecting the environment, so we developed the Art Contest with Earth Day Canada to engage students and instill a lifelong passion for protecting nature," says Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. "It's a great opportunity for elementary school students to appreciate the natural world while having fun creating their masterpiece."

In addition to bragging rights and having their artwork seen by Canadians across the country, the winning student will receive a $7,500 environmental grant towards the development of an outdoor classroom or a schoolyard naturalization project, as well as a digital camera, valued at approximately $250, and a litterless lunchbox for each student in their class. Nine secondary winners will also each receive a $500 environmental grant for their school, $25 cash and a litterless lunch box. The drawings may also be featured in the 2012-2013 edition of Earth Day Canada's EcoKids Calendar.

"We're pleased to join TD FEF on this exciting new contest that engages schools and gives children the chance to showcase their artistic talent while expressing their commitment to a healthy environment," says Jed Goldberg, President, Earth Day Canada. "We're looking forward to seeing the wonderful creations students submit."

About TD FEF & Earth Day Canada Art Contest:

Canadian students in grades one through eight can submit an original drawing that expresses the theme "my favourite part of nature." Ten finalists will then be chosen by a panel of judges, and the winning entry will be chosen by an online public vote. Voting will take place between October 31 and November 11, 2011.

For full information and contest rules, please visit www.tdfef.com/artcontest. The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on October 14, 2011. Winners will be announced on November 16, 2011.

About Earth Day® Canada:

Earth Day® Canada (EDC), a national environmental charity founded in 1990, provides Canadians with the practical knowledge and tools they need to lessen their impact on the environment. In 2004 it was recognized as the top environmental education organization in North America, for its innovative year-round programs and educational resources, by the Washington-based North American Association for Environmental Education, the world's largest association of environmental educators. In 2008 it was chosen as Canada's "Outstanding Non-profit Organization" by the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication. EDC regularly partners with thousands of organizations in all parts of Canada. www.earthday.ca

About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:

Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $55 million in funding to over 20,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2010, TD FEF provided more than $3.5 million in support of 970 projects. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit www.tdfef.com.

Earth Day® is a trade-mark of Earth Day Canada (1991) Inc., used with the permission of Earth Day Canada (1991) Inc.