Those who are talented in art and graphic designs are encouraged to submit their unique, individual creation to the South Padre Island Economic Development Corporation for consideration as the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center's official logo.  The winner will not only receive area-wide recognition for his/her work, he/she will receive (thanks to generous sponsors):

·   Certificates for two, 2-nite stays at the La Quinta Beach Resort,
·   Certificates for four free Friday night Seafood Buffets from Isla Grande Beach Resort (formerly the Radisson Resort)
·   A year's membership for the winner and his/her family (family membership or a total of four individual memberships) to the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center which allows free entrance into the facility and its boardwalks;
·   Free entrance for the winner to all programs sponsored by the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center for one year.
 
We are looking for that special picture, symbol or graphic that best describes the Birding and Nature Center here on South Padre Island, which may, if approved, be used for our signage, business letterhead, business cards, and any/all advertising and promotions for events and programs.  The ideal submission will look attractive in color or in black and white; easily 'fits' within the uses of letterhead, business cards, etc.; and is easily reproducible, enlarged and/or reduced.
 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center is one of the nine locations within the World Birding Center (WBC). It a collaborative initiative between Texas Parks and Wildlife and area towns, to introduce residents and visitors of the Rio Grande Valley to the plants and animals, especially birds, which make the Valley such an interesting and unique place to be.  Each WBC site is located in a particularly unique ecosystem in an effort to provide visitors of each site a new and different glimpse into the wonderful ecology surrounding us here in the Rio Grande Valley.  The ultimate goal for each of these sites, besides acting as an economic generator for nature and eco-tourism, is to educate the locals and visitors of the Valley to that which makes this area so unique.  By so doing, we hope to instill love and pride of this area, and ultimately the desire to conserve our nature resources.
 
The South Padre Island "wing" of the WBC is the only WBC site located on the coast, which therefore provides us a number of easily identifiable differences from the other WBC sites and allows us the opportunity to reach people that might not ever visit the other WBC sites.  Our vision of the center is that of a World Class facility, with interactive, fun and interesting learning opportunities.  We hope to become the magnet that pulls the public that might not otherwise walk into a Nature Center, into our facility and provide them a fun and interesting time so that they want to learn more about nature.  Ideally, we hope to be the concierge for all things nature, nature tourism and eco-tourism on and around South Padre Island.
 
ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS ABOUT WHO CAN PROVIDE A SUBMISSION?
No.  We are sending this request out to the public in general, young and older alike; to schools, universities, trade shows, etc.  We have no age requirements or restrictions and will not limit the number of submissions anyone would like to provide.
             
QUESTIONS
The Manager of the Birding & Nature Center will hold a public information meeting about this contest on Monday December 1, 2008 at 10 am.  The meeting will take place at the Visitor and Information Center located at 600 Padre Boulevard.  However, questions may be asked at any time about this contest.  Please call:  (956) 571-8022.
 
SUBMISSION
If your unique and original submission embodies these visions, missions and/or goals, we'd like to see them.  Please submit the original (if a work of art) as well as a digital version of the piece that can be reproduced, reduced and/or enlarged.  Send your digital work via e-mail to: spiedc@aol.com; or via postal carrier (in paper and on CD) to: South Padre Island EDC,  600 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX 78597 Attn: Cate Ball, Manager Birding & Nature Center.  Please don't forget to provide us your name, phone number and mailing address so we can contact you.
 
DEADLINE:
December 30, 2008 at 5 pm.
 
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The Economic Development Corporation will review the submissions and choose the best three (3) to five (5) submissions received.  Those top submissions will be placed on either the Birding Center Website, or the Town of South Padre Island website for an opportunity for the public to vote on the 'best' logo.  We hope to make a decision by the end of January or the middle of February 2009.
 
NOTES:
a)      The EDC maintains the right to reject any and all submissions should they not embody the quality, visions and missions desired for this Nature Center.
b)      The winning submission will become the property of the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center to use as determined by the organization. (sold, modified, etc.) and the winner will have no further rights or ownership interest in the logo.
c)      All other original work shall be returned if the submitter retrieves it from the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center no later than March 30, 2009.
d)      Any original work not retrieved shall become the property of the South Padres Island Birding and Nature Center.