The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is pleased to announce a partnership with the U.S. Postal Service for the Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Conservation-through-the-Arts Program. A component of this partnership is the free mailing of the resource guides rules and information brochure. The brochure explains the JDS program and the contest application process which culminates on April 5 with the judging of a statewide wildlife art contest.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife state coordinators will send the guide to students, teachers and parents across the nation. Margot Bissell of Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is the state coordinator for Arizona. Margot says she is excited about this new partnership and very appreciative for the contribution the Postal Service has made. "Because of this new partnership, we are able to do so much more with the Conservation-through-the-Arts program."
The Junior Duck Stamp program is a dynamic art and science program designed to teach wetlands habitat and waterfowl conservation to students from kindergarten through high school.
Using scientific and wildlife observation principles, the program helps students communicate visually what they have learned by creating an art entry for the Junior Duck Stamp art contest.
The Junior Duck Stamps non-traditional pairing of art and conservation brings new interest to both art and science. It crosses cultural, ethnic, social and geographic boundaries to teach our youth greater awareness of our Nations natural resources.
The judging of all Arizona entries will take place in Ajo on Year200April 5, 2006.
New to the art contest is a Conservation Message component. Each student writes a short conservation message that expresses the spirit of what they have learned through classroom discussions, research and planning for their Junior Duck Stamp Contest entries.
Within the contest, Ms. Bissell said there will be recognition and awards given for the local schools. A record number of entries are expected this year, including entries from several Ajo high school students who are exceptional artists, but new to the contest.
Federal Duck Stamps can be purchased at the local post office in Ajo, for $15, or online at www.duckstamp.com. Junior Duck Stamps may be purchased for $5 at the Cabeza Prieta NWR beginning in January of 2006.
The Best of Show from Arizona will be entered in the national contest in Washington, D.C., where the first place winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and a free trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in the First Day of Sale ceremony. Subsequent awards will be made to the national second, third and top ten winners.
For more information Ms. Bissell can be reached at Cabeza Prieta NWR at 520-387-6483.
-FWS-
