This competition was announced to schools in April of this year, when the deadline for submissions was set for Thursday 30th June. Due to demand from the older age groups, this deadline has now been extended.

The deadline date for submissions from 14 to 16 year olds (GCSE) and 16 plus year olds (sixth form) has been extended to 5.00pm on Wednesday 31st August 2005.

The length of each submission will be to a maximum of 500 words.

All entries will be from individual pupils. The title of each entry will be:

Environment NI: A Vision for the Future

Pupils are asked to imagine and depict their vision for Northern Irelands environment. What issues are they most concerned about and what would they like to see done to address them. What do they particularly appreciate and would like to see conserved and celebrated. Why is Northern Ireland a good environment to live in, or not, as the case may be.

Schools should submit all individual written entries on one disc as well as one hard copy.

On every entry, the name of the entrant, their school, their age and the age category being entered must be clearly indicated.

All entries are to be sent to the EHS Education Officer, Environment and Heritage Service, Commonwealth House, 35 Castle Street, Belfast, BT1 1GU. They must be received by 5:00pm on Wednesday 31st August 2005.

6 winners, including an overall winner for each of the three categories will be selected by a panel of judges:

Anne Hayes, EHS Education Officer

Nigel Williams, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People

John Coney, Energy and Environment Adviser, WELB

Vivienne Quinn, Environment and Society Adviser, NEELB

Brigid Murray, Environment and Society Adviser, BELB

Vivian Kelly, Environment and Society Adviser, SELB

Paula Smith, Environment and Society Adviser, SEELB

Liz Wallace, Magilligan Field Centre, WELB

Judging is scheduled to take place in September 2005. Schools will be notified of the results at the end of September. The winners names will then also be announced to the media. The winners will also be fully briefed in early October on the conference details and their participation at it, so that all necessary arrangements can be made.

All entries will be published on the EHS and conference websites.

For further information or queries, please contact:

Anne Hayes, EHS Education Officer

Tel 9054 6645

Email anne.hayes@doeni.gov.uk

Contact Julie Foster, EHS Corporate Communications

Tel 9054 6677

Email julie.foster@doeni.gov.uk