Artwork from 5,731 school-aged waterfowl artists throughout the state was judged during the 26th Annual California Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge on March 31 and April 1. In California, the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program is facilitated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC).
Due to the record breaking number of entries received, the judging was split into a two-day event. On day one, a panel of five judges narrowed the selection down to the top 100 for each group. On day two, the top 25 winners were selected from each group. The artwork was judged in four grade groups: K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. From these groups, three first, three second, three third place and 16 honorable mention winners were chosen. Winning designs received ribbons and all entrants received a certificate of appreciation and awards.
One art design earned the distinguished title of California’s Best of Show, which was a snow goose by Stacy Shen, age 16 from Fremont. Her artwork will be submitted to Washington D.C. to compete with the other states’ Best of Show winners during the National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest on April 22, 2016. The national winner’s design will be made into the 2016-2017 Federal Junior Duck Stamp.
The 2016 judges included: Betty Betreaux, artist and member of the Duck Days committee; Sharon Toovey, membership coordinator for California Waterfowl Association; Kristin Sesser, avian ecologist at Point Blue; Eric Nelson, refuge manager at Humboldt National Wildlife Refuge; Dave VanBaren, environmental scientist from Gray Lodge Wildlife Area; Jim Burcio and Bob Solari artists and member of the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association; Mike Peters, refuge manager for Colusa National Wildlife Refuge; Dave Tamori, College Board AP Studio Art Consultant from Oroville and Jennifer Isola, biologist for Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
This California Junior Duck Stamp Program is so successful because of the generous and supportive partners that provide the funding and manpower. Volunteers from the Sacramento NWRC, California Waterfowl, and other partner organizations worked on the daunting task of laying out all the artwork, tallying scores, and recording the 100 winners. Additional major sponsors for the program include the California Rice Commission, California Department of Water Resources, Pacific Flyway Decoy Association, Altacal Audubon Society, Central Valley Joint Venture, and other federal, state, private, and non-profit environmental conservation and education agencies.
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/cno/. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel, and download photos from our Flickr page.
