The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program, celebrating its 20 year anniversary, engages children in environmental education through art. The program guides students, using scientific and wildlife observation principles to communicate visually what they have learned through an entry in their state’s Junior Duck Stamp contest. This conservation education program is open to any child in kindergarten through high school.
Students may submit artwork featuring one of the following species: whistling ducks, swans, geese, brant, dabbling ducks, diving ducks, sea ducks, mergansers, stiff tails, or Hawaiian ducks. A full list of permitted species is available online at http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck. Judging will be open to the general public, and will be begin at 10:00 am on March 22nd at Columbia Environmental Research Center Conference Building adjacent to the Refuge headquarters. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/bigmuddy/Headquarters.html Artwork entries will be judged on the basis of original design, anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for reproduction on a 1” by 1.5” stamp.
During the contest, students will be judged in four groups according to grade level: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.Three first, three second and three third place entries, along with 16 honorable mentions will be selected from each group. Contest judges select a “Best of Show” from the twelve first place winners, which will be submitted to the Federal Duck Stamp Office and entered into the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest held on April 20, 2012 at Patuxent Research Refuge, Maryland.
The first place art from the national contest is used to create a National Junior Duck Stamp each year. The Junior Duck Stamp is available for $5 from the U.S. Postal Service and from many National Wildlife Refuges. All proceeds from the sale of the stamps support conservation education and provide awards and scholarships for participating students, teachers and schools.
A downloadable entry form and information on contest rules and regulations for teachers and supervising adults can be found online at http://www.fws.gov/jrduck. For additional information or if you have questions regarding your student’s or school’s participation in the Jr. Duck Stamp contest, please contact your Jr. Duck Stamp State Coordinator, Tim Haller 573-441-2799 [email protected] Entries and reference forms should be postmarked by March 15, 2012 and mailed to:
Tim Haller – Missouri Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator, 4200 New Haven Rd., Columbia, MO, 65201
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws/gov.
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