The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a pair of Nene (Hawaiian goose) will be featured on the 2008-2009 Federal Junior Duck Stamp. The design for the new stamp, painted by 18 year-old Seokkyun Hong of Dallas, Texas, was chosen by a panel of judges today at the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest held at the San Diego Zoo.

The oil painting which previously won the Texas State Junior Duck Stamp Contest, was judged the top entry among the Best-of-State entries from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and American Samoa. The 2008-2009 Federal Junior Duck Stamp, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will make available for $5 to stamp collectors, conservationists, and the general public will be released in June 2008. Proceeds from Junior Duck Stamp sales are used to support environmental education efforts and awards for contest winners.

Lydia Han, age 15, of San Jose, California, took second place with a water-color depicting a pair of ruddy ducks called "Contented Pair."

Third place went to Rebekah Nastav, age 17, of Amoret, Missouri for her rendition of a single hooded merganser called “Evening Swim” done in acrylic. Rebekah was also the winner of the 2006 Federal Junior Duck Stamp competition.

The Junior Duck Stamp Contest winner receives a free trip to Washington, D.C., along with their art teacher, a parent, and the state coordinator, to be honored during a First Day of Sale Ceremony held in June. The first-place winner receives a $5,000 award. The second place winner receives $3,000 and the third-place winner receives $2,000.

The Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Message winner was Jeriel Chalk from Colorado.

"Conservation is our respect for the past, participation of the present, and our responsibility to the future."