It’s an art exhibition with a difference highlighting the importance of Australia’s wetlands.

And focusing on how tourism and recreation can go hand in hand with the environment.

Bianca Britton reports.

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Both artworks and photographs make up this year’s impressive exhibition.

Wetland Care received hundreds of entries including many from Queensland, but only 45 were chosen to go on display.

Mike Worrall, Wetland Care Australia: “The whole idea is to get people interested in wetlands and out into the wetlands to take pictures and draw pictures and see the life that is so abundant there.”

The artworks showcase how people of all ages can aprpreciate and enjoy the recreational opportunies that our wetlands offer.

Mike Ronan, Qld Wetlands Program Manager: “It’s absolutely beautiful, all the way from the very young people’s art right up to the more professional of art. It’s very, very good quality.”

Those who came along today say they were pleasantly surprised by the quality of work, especially by the younger artists.

This painting by a 12-year-old, depicting the central west catchment, took out third prize.

Karen Lansburg, Wetland Art: “Just the depth and perception in the artwork for such a young person is quite unbelievable.”

This is the first time the competition has been exhibitied in Queensland and this year a brand new category has also been introduced.

The new indigenous category was introduced to acknowledge the importance wetlands and waterways have in traditional cultures.

First prize was awarded to Delane Badari who created this artwork, File Snake.

The exhibition continues on the ground floor of the Parliamentary Annex, but will move at the end of this week to level 3 of 400 George Street.

Bianca Britton, QUT News.