The Junior Duck Stamp is a pictorial stamp produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to recognize the conservation efforts of young people and support environmental and conservation education programs in the United States. The art competition is the culmination of students' study of waterfowl and wetlands conservation in the classroom, homeschool, or non-formal education setting, often using the Junior Duck Stamp Program educational curriculum.
A winning stamp design is selected at a national art contest. The first place national winner of the art contest graces that year's Junior Duck Stamp and is sold by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Postal Service and Amplex Corporation for $5. The first stamp, issued in 1993-1994, was painted by Jason Parsons of Illinois. All proceeds of the stamp are used to fund environmental education programs, recognize and award students for their work, and expand the conservation education program.
The program began in 1989 as an extension of the Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp, commonly known as the Federal Duck Stamp. The national Junior Duck Stamp art contest started in 1993 and the first stamp design was selected from the eight participating states. The program was recognized by Congress with the 1994 enactment of the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act.
By 2000, the program included all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories. The program encourages partnerships among federal and state government agencies, nongovernment organizations, businesses, and volunteers to help recognize and honor thousands of teachers and students throughout the United States for their participation in conservation-related activities.