A talented young artist from Oregon has taken top honors at the National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. A king eider by 17-year-old Emily Lian, will grace the 2024-2025 Junior Duck Stamp, which raises funds to educate and engage our nation’s youth in wildlife and wetlands conservation and outdoor recreation.
A panel of five judges chose the entry, painted in oil, from among best-of-show entries from 50 states and Puerto Rico.
“This is always such an exciting day and one of my favorite events every year!” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams. “Thousands of students across the country participate in this program, and it all culminates with this contest showcasing the result of students exploring their natural world through science, art, and writing, and sharing their gift with all of us.”
Students in kindergarten through grade twelve participate in their annual state Junior Duck Stamp Program through their school, home, art studio or after-school group, or from a refuge, park or nature center. After learning about wetlands, waterfowl, and wildlife conservation, they express their learning through a drawing or painting of a duck, goose or swan.
The top piece of art in the nation – chosen at this annual competition – is featured on the Junior Duck Stamp, sales of which support educational programs and activities that nurture our next generation of conservationists.
The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program began in 1989 as an extension of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the Duck Stamp. The first National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest was held in 1993. The program encourages students to explore their natural world, participate in outdoor recreation activities, and learn wildlife management principles. Approximately 3,000 Junior Duck Stamps are sold annually for $5 each.
Second place winner is Madison Grimm, 17, from South Dakota, with an acrylic painting of a northern pintail.
Third place went to 16-year-old Victoria Hickerson, from South Carolina, who entered a wood duck hen painted in oil.
In addition to the art contest, a Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Message Contest encourages students to express in words the spirit of what they have learned through classroom discussions, research, and planning for their Junior Duck Stamp Contest entries. This year’s winner is Kaitlin Garant, 16, of Nevada with her message: “Conservation is our responsibility, a reflection of our past, present and future.”
“It’s always amazing to see this artwork in person and celebrate these young artists,” said Assistant Director for Migratory Birds Jerome Ford. “We are so proud of the legacy that the Junior Duck Stamp Program has built to instill a life-long sense of environmental stewardship in thousands of young people over the decades.”
This year, more than 15,000 young artists submitted entries to the Junior Duck Stamp contests around the nation. View the gallery of the 2024 Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest entries. Visit online for the complete contest results.
The Junior Duck Stamp Contest winner receives $1,000. The second place winner receives $500; the third-place winner receives $200; the Conservation Message winner receives $200.
You can buy Junior Duck Stamps online through the U.S. Postal Service and Amplex and at some national wildlife refuges. Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps are used for recognition of individuals who submit winning designs in state or national competitions and to further activities related to the conservation education goals of the program.
The First Day of Issue for the 2024-2025 Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp is planned for June 28, 2024.
