- Art Competition promotes wildlife conservation among students K-12.
- State Best-of-Show winner competes for national awards including
Possible $4,000 first place national prize and trip to Washington, D.C. - Winning 2003 state entries currently on tour throughout Georgia.
- Deadline is March 15th for 2004 contest entries.
Editors: Graphics and additional information are available at http://athens.fws.gov. Go to home page and click on press release title to see text and graphics.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) seeks student artists for its 2004 Georgia
No writing is permitted on the front of the work. Images may be rendered in oil, acrylic, pastels, pencil, pen, or even crayon. Each entry must be the student contestants original design and created by his or her own hand.
The Junior Duck Stamp program includes a curriculum designed to teach about preserving wetland ecosystems. Interested teachers may download a curriculum guide at http://duckstamps.fws.gov or call (703) 358-2000.
For entry rules, forms and a list of eligible species, call (706) 613-9493 or visit http://duckstamps.fws.gov. Artwork and completed official entry forms must be mailed or hand-delivered by March 15th to Georgia Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator, USFWS Georgia Ecological Services, 247 South Milledge Ave., Athens, GA 30605.
In Georgia, participating students compete for cash awards and prizes offered by sponsors including Georgia Power Company, the University of Georgia School of Forest Resources, the Georgia Wildlife Federation, and various private businesses. First, second, third and honorable mention is awarded in each age category. All participants receive a certificate of recognition for their efforts.
The student judged to be Georgias Best-of-Show winner may choose a deluxe tour through one of five national wildlife refuges located in the state. Choices include Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in southeast Georgia, Piedmont NWR and Bond Swamp NWR near Macon, Eufaula NWR on the Alabama-Georgia border, or the Savannah Coastal refuges on Georgias Atlantic shoreline.
Georgias 2004 Best-of -Show entry also competes nationally in Washington, D.C. Along with a first place prize of $4000, the winning national first place design is used to produce the 2004 Federal Junior Duck Stamp. Second place national winner receives $2000, while third place receives $1000 for his or her efforts. The winning national artist, one parent and a teacher then receive a free trip to Washington, D.C. during the fall to attend the adult Federal Duck Stamp contest.
Students also gain recognition as one hundred pieces of selected artwork tours the state during a yearlong 2004 exhibition. Over 20,000 individuals this fall toured the 2003 exhibition during its stay this fall at the Gardens at Callaway in Pine Mountain, Georgia. The 2003 exhibit can be seen this month at the Thomasville Cultural Center in Thomasville, Georgia through February 12th and at the Georgia Wildlife Federations Fishing, Turkey Hunting and Outdoor show at the Atlanta Expo from February 6th through 8th.
To see digital images of 2003, 2002 and 2001 winners, visit the USFWS Georgia Ecological Services website at http://athens.fws.gov. Collectors interested in purchasing the 2003 Junior Duck Stamp may call 1-800-STAMP-24 or visit the U.S. Postal Service at http://www.usps.com.
