There were 120 entries from more than 20 Pierce County schools and 4-H clubs in this year’s contest, said Michele Cardinaux, program manager at the center. It is co-sponsored by the Tahoma Audubon Society and the center,

Each year, contest organizers chose three birds to be the subject of the drawings. Students are supposed to research their choice and draw it in its natural habitat.

Students, competing in three age categories, had a choice of drawing an Evening Grosbeak, Greater Scaup or Anna’s Hummingbird. Those birds have been identified by National Audubon as “Common Birds in Decline,” according to a news release. That means that those species population have declined more than 50 percent during the past 40 years. The Evening Grosbeak is second on the list, showing a 78 percent loss since 1967.

Here are the top finishers.

SECOND-THIRD GRADE

First (tie): Dylan Cohoe, University Place, and Lindsay Skaanes, Fox Island

Second: Samantha Shreiner, Gig Harbor

Third: Sydney McNeill, Graham

FOURTH-FIFTH GRADE

First: Tova Beck, Gig Harbor

Second: Claire Swart, Edgewood

Third: Adrianna Parent, Bonney Lake

SIXTH-SEVENTH GRADE

First: Megan Bernovich, Tacoma

Second: Yuliya Snitko, Fife

Third: Kelsey Weeks, Vaughn

The artwork is on display at the nature center auditorium through the end of August. The center, located at 1919 S. Tyler St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The exhibit is open for much of the time, but you can call 253-591-6439 to be sure you can see the works.