Nearly 600 Arizona students have submitted original artwork for the 2004-2005 Arizona Junior Duck Stamp competition. Judging will begin Friday (April 1) morning at the Ajo High School. The public can view the entries later that day at the school gymnasium. Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, in cooperation with the Ajo Unified School District, hosts the event.
The Arizona Junior Duck Stamp Program, managed by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, is a conservation program designed to teach students about waterfowl and their habitat through an art and science-based curriculum. The program is available to all school children in grades K-12. The program is modeled after the Federal Duck Stamp Program and gives students an opportunity to create a design for a non-postal stamp. The art entry selected as Best-of-Show will be sent to Washington, D.C. and will represent Arizona in the National Competition.
The five judges for this year's competition include science/art teachers Ed Young (master wood carver), Nanci Harlan (award winning artist), Ken McGowan (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service and Duck Stamp Collector), Bill Perry (professional award winning photographer), and Adam Cresswell (Director of Arizona Ducks Unlimited.)
In past competitions Ajo has been well represented. In 2003-2004, Jonnie Morgart, Karen Velasco, Idelba Figueroa, Suzette Wriston, Sarah Spitzer, Carla Gutierrez, Jessica Mann, Claudia Wainer, Michael Lockhart, Amy Alvillar and Debbie Siers were all place winners.
Many excellent entries are expected at the event, which presents a strong message for wildlife conservation. A new award category this year is the Conservation Message, when students write a one sentence message on what they have learned about the importance of waterfowl conservation. One message per category will be awarded.
Teachers and their classes are invited and encouraged to tour the exhibit from 1 to 3 p.m. The public is also invited to the exhibit during this same time and again from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
IF YOU GO WHAT YOU"LL SEE: All entries will be on display throughout the gymnasium. They will be divided into four categories representing grades K-12. The Best-of-Show will be displayed on its own display board and all First through Fourth places and Honorable Mention will be displayed with ribbons.
WHERE: Ajo High School Gymnasium, Well Road, Ajo, AZ. Park in the north parking lot. Enter through the east doors. If you come during school hours from 1 to 3 p.m., be sure to check in at the front office and pick up a Visitor Pass.
2 6ptThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
-http://southwest.fws.gov-
