Las Vegas, NV—An acrylic painting of a Northern pintail will represent Nevada in the 2017 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest. The painting is the work of 17 year-old Mariah Bacon, a student at Elko High School in Elko, Nevada. Her work was chosen as “Best of Show” from 333 entries during judging on March 31, at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge.
Bacon’s artwork will compete with the other states’ winners in the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest on April 21, 2017 in Charleston, South Carolina. The national winner’s design will be made into the 2017-2018 Federal Junior Duck Stamp.
?"While there has been a reduction in the numbers of entries in this year's contest, the amount of talent among Nevada youth has not declined," said Nevada Coordinator Christy Smith. "We will make every effort to increase outreach in the upcoming year to encourage teachers to participate in the program. Teachers are the essential ingredient to the success of this program."
The judges for the 2017 Nevada competition were: Brad Hardenbrook, Nevada Department of Wildlife; Bruno Bowls, Springs Preserve; Wendy Smith, Brushfire Studios; Paul Rodriguez, Red Rock Audubon Society and Rob Vinson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is a dynamic art and science program designed to teach wetlands habitat and waterfowl conservation to students kindergarten through high school and help reconnect youth with the outdoors. In Nevada, the program is facilitated by the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Las Vegas.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/cno or connect with us via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.
-FWS-
