Over 400 students throughout the state participated in the Colorado Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program. Alex Karpilow, a 14 year old student from Molly Davis Art Studio in Boulder, took top honors by winning the “Best of Show” in Colorado at the 2009 Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Alex’s artwork was selected from hundreds of amazing entries from across Colorado. Her acrylic rendition of a pair of Canada geese, entitled "Companhia,” (which means “company” in Portuguese) will represent Colorado at the National Competition in Washington, D.C. at the end of April. Entries from Colorado were judged by a panel of waterfowl enthusiasts, biologists and professional visual and wildlife artists. Recognition for all participants and prizes for the top 25 drawings in each of four age groups (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12) are awarded each year.

About the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is an environmental educational program designed for all public, private, and home schooled students in grades K-12 to learn more about waterfowl and habitat conservation. Specifically, it incorporates scientific and wildlife management principles into visual arts curriculum in order to help foster an active awareness of the critical need to protect, preserve and enhance our wetland habitat for waterfowl, migratory songbirds, and the hundreds of other plants and animals that depend on wetlands for their survival. As part of the program, students are also invited to participate in an annual art competition. Creating an entry is a valuable experience. It helps students tie together lessons on animal form and function, plant science, observation, wetland habitats, and more. In the visual arts, students practice sketching, drawing, painting, and composition. Each year, proceeds from Junior Duck Stamp sales go toward increased funding for wetlands and waterfowl conservation. In addition, every entry translates into another dollar toward environmental education the following year. As a result, this program continues to make a positive difference in the lives of both kids and wildlife. The U.S. Department of Interior and the Federal Duck Stamp Office head up this program; and in Colorado it is coordinated by the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge. For additional details on how to get more involved, please contact Seth Beres at 303/289-0867 and/or the national website: http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/ArtContest.htm.