Queens, NY – New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato announced her annual Earth Day Drawing Contest with local elementary and middle schools throughout the community. The Assemblywoman regularly visits schools and teaches students about their State, including what the State symbols are. As the environment plays a massive role in the community the Assemblywoman represents, Pheffer Amato is encouraging the students to draw something about the Earth or the environment.

“The beauty of New York State spreads across hundreds of thousands of acres, through numerous counties and into each of our hearts. In our own district we see the beauty of nature every single day, a rare thing living in New York City. In our State the environment matters, and we should celebrate it,” said Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato. In the following days each elementary and middle school in the 23^rd Assembly District, which encompasses the schools of NYC Community School District 27, will receive instructions on a drawing contest. Each student who wishes to participate will draw a picture of their favorite plant or tree in New York and send in their beautiful drawings to the Assemblywoman. Pheffer Amato previously decorated her Albany office with some of the drawings from last year's artists. Awards will be presented to the artists who have captured the beauty of New York State in May.

Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato also wants to challenge constituents to see if they know the answers to the following questions regarding State symbols and the environment. Try not to google the answers!

1. What is the State Bird?
   1. The Piping Plover
   2. The Blue Bird
   3. The NYC Pidgeon
   4. The Northern Cardinal
2. What is the State Bush?
   1. The Northern Bush-honeysuckle
   2. The American Dogwood
   3. The Lilac
   4. The American Elderberry
3. What is the State Flower?
   1. The New York Aster
   2. The Iris
   3. The Edelweiss
   4. The Rose