Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center Phone: 952-854-5900 |
More than 1,200 entries were received in the 2009 Minnesota Junior Duck Stamp Contest. The Best of Show
"Minnesota celebrates its fifth teeth year of participating in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program. Three of these years a Park Rapids student has won the Minnesota contest. It is from support of the teachers and the community that make this conservation program a success in this state," said Mara Koenig, Minnesota Coordinator of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program. This dynamic educational program uses both conservation and design principles to teach wetland habitat and waterfowl biology to students in kindergarten through high school. The program provides an opportunity for students to artistically express their knowledge of the diversity, interdependence and beauty of wildlife. Contest judges included John Christian, Regional Chief of Migratory Birds & State Programs for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Brad Nylin, Minnesota Waterfowl Association; Phil Reiland, Outdoors Weekly; Laura Shimek, Art Teacher/Artist; and Timothy Turenne, Wildlife Artist. The following is a list of winners for the Minnesota Junior Duck Stamp Contest.
The first, second, and third place winners' artwork is a part of a traveling exhibit, which will be on display throughout Minnesota from May 2009 through March 2010. Please watch your local paper for the exhibit landing in your area. "The benefits of exposure to nature are exponential, especially in children. The Junior Duck Stamp contest connect children to nature through both art and science, and I hope this program continues to expand into more schools and homes across the Midwest and country," said Tom Melius, Midwest Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is a dynamic, art and science program designed to teach wetlands habitat and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. The program guides students, using scientific and wildlife observation principles, to communicate visually what they have learned through an entry into the Junior Duck Stamp art contest. This non-traditional pairing of subjects brings new interest to both the sciences and the arts. It crosses cultural, ethnic, social, and geographic boundaries to teach greater awareness of our nation's natural resources. "By using their artistic talents, younger generations can develop an appreciation for migratory birds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife they may otherwise not be exposed to," said Tom Melius, Midwest Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The first place art from the national contest is used to create a National Junior Duck Stamp each year. The Federal 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. In Minnesota, the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is supported by Wildlife Forever, Duke & Duke Photography, Audubon Minnesota and individual contributions. For more information please contact the Minnesota State Coordinator.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
