The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation was formed in 1984, by the renowned wildlife artist, conservationist and CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) of the same name. in response to his firsthand witnessing of humankind’s often careless treatment of the natural world. Since then, they have raised and invested more than £14 million ($18 million-plus) in frontline conservation projects that act as a counter to individuals and organizations that regularly and recklessly endanger our most precious natural resources.

Through dedication and relentless hard work, they have continued to influence policy and change the conversation on conservation. They succinctly sum up their message in three powerful words: Fight. Protect. Engage.

David Shepherd (1931 - 2017) was, of course, one of the greatest and most profound wildlife photographers of our modern times. And so it's no surprise that art is very much at the core of the organization's mission - with their annual Wildlife Artist of the Year challenge now receiving entries from more than 90 countries. But since 2004, DSWF's Global Canvas has allowed for the wildlife artwork of children to also be recognized; and through our enthusiastic partnership, tigernoodles is proud to feature a number of truly captivating works from the 2025 competition in our online gallery. (Entries for the 2026 competition, with its theme being 'The Book of Life', are being solicited now.)

This exclusive interview offers a glimpse into how it all comes together.

tigernoodles: Are you still surprised with each new year of submissions at the level of youth artistic talent?

DSWF: The quality of the entries has been improving year on year since 2010, and the competition is getting more competitive. The decision between finalists for first place comes down to very small margins, and outstanding composition is one-way the winners really stand out. Also, the art we see is getting better at telling a story, especially the group entries. A winning artwork usually has a clear driving narrative, which makes the conservation messages even more compelling.

What have you been most impressed by over the years?

We know how hard it is to start with a blank sheet of paper and come up with something that has not been done; yet the creativity in entries has been improving year on year. And also the children's passion for discovery regarding the subjects of animals and wildlife conservation continues to come through as strong as ever.

Why is it important to give children’s art a context in which it can be taken as seriously as art made by grownups?

We don’t expect everyone to become a professional artist that enters Global Canvas. However, completing a project to a defined outcome is good for everyone at any age. The skills, knowledge and resilience learned are valuable, whether you win or not. Finding out what you are good at and what you enjoy doing is always a serious business.

The theme for 2026 is 'The Book of Life'. Can you elaborate on the meaning and significance of that title?

'The Book of Life' holds as many as ten million species – from tiny plankton to towering elephants. Every time we discover a new animal, like the vegetarian piranha, the book gets bigger. But when a species goes extinct - like the Pinta Island tortoise - a page is lost forever. We already know how to protect 'The Book of Life', we can create protected areas, restore damaged habitats, rescue endangered species, and stop the illegal trade in wildlife. For Global Canvas 2026, [we want young artists to] show us how we can save 'The Book of Life' forever.

 What should kids and parents know about the competition? 

Based on the thousands of entries we get each year, we would want to focus your attention on four things: 1) Many entries fail at the first round of judging because they do not reflect the theme in any way; 2) Some are let down by the technique used. Practice the techniques before you produce the final piece, and make sure to take your time; 3) Come up with new ideas we have not seen before. Even if your image of a turtle with a globe on its back is well drawn, it's something we have seen many times before; 4) Try to make sure the picture you send in is sharp and well lit. [Meaning: visual clarity is important.]

In these times of worry about the health of our planet and of all life that exists on it, what are you hopeful for as we enter a new year with new challenges? 

We are lucky enough to be able to talk regularly to rangers, community specialists, and educators from our conservation partners around the world . People like Britius Munkombwe from Game Rangers International, Wilton Nsimango from Painted Dog Conservation, Lorna Dax from Save the Rhino Trust, and Grace Mtonga from Musekese Conservation. They fully understand the problems we face and work tirelessly on solutions that work on the ground in each country. They know what to do and how to do it. Given the right resources, these people make things change for the better. This is why we are hopeful.

And finally, how can kids learn more about David Shepherd and his life’s work?

There is more information on the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation's website, which you can find here.