For the first time in its 15-year history, the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest will be held at the Smithsonians National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., bringing award-winning childrens waterfowl art to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the nations capital.
On Friday, April 27 at 9 a.m., a distinguished panel of five judges will choose from among the top waterfowl artwork entered by students in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The judging, which is free and open to the public, is being held in conjunction with the National Zoos "Bird Fest 2007," celebrating International Migratory Bird Day and the annual springtime return of millions of migrating birds from Central and South America.
The winning artwork will be featured on the 2007-2008 Federal Junior Duck Stamp, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sells for $5 to stamp collectors, conservationists and the general public. Proceeds from sales of the Junior Duck Stamp support environmental education efforts and go towards awards and scholarships for contest winners.
"One of my highest priorities is connecting our nations youth with their natural world and creating the conservationists of tomorrow; the Junior Duck Stamp Program has been doing just that for 15 years," said H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "An increasing body of evidence shows that a relationship with the natural world helps children become healthier in body and mind - the Junior Duck Stamp program is a wonderful gateway to that relationship. I cant think of a better partner than the National Zoo for this program and were thrilled to be joining forces with them for this years contest to bring the art of conservation to new audiences in our nations capital."
The Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Zoo recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding, formalizing their mutual commitment to conservation education.
"Everyone at the Smithsonians National Zoo is excited to host this years Junior Duck Stamp Competition," said John Berry, Director of the National Zoo. "Not only is it a wonderful event, but it also illustrates the important partnership that the National Zoo and the Fish and Wildlife Service have created in conservation."
Last years Junior Duck Stamp contest winner, Rebekah Nastav, of Amoret, Missouri., and Richard Clifton, winner of the 2007 National Federal Duck Stamp Contest, will be on hand both for the contest and during Bird Fest 2007, signing autographs and leading art classes for children. Clifton, whose art will grace the 2007-2008 Federal Duck Stamp, will also serve as a judge for the Junior Duck Stamp competition.
Prior to the national competition, each state hosts a competition between February and mid-April, where more than 34,000 Junior Duck Stamp design entries are judged by people active in the local wildlife art or conservation community. Winning entries from each state are sent to the national competition. Thanks to the support of Bass Pro Shops this year, for the first time each States first place winning artist will receive a $100 cash award.
The Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest is the culmination of a conservation curriculum used by educators across the nation. A dynamic educational program designed to teach wetlands and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school, the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program carries scientific and wildlife management principles into a visual arts activity. It crosses cultural, ethnic, social and geographic boundaries to promote greater awareness of our nations natural resources, benefiting not only ducks, but all migratory birds, including neotropical migratory songbirds and hundreds of plants and animals that depend on wetlands for their survival.
After completing the activities in the Junior Duck Stamp educational program, students are encouraged to create drawings and paintings to submit to their state Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. At the national level, students with the top three art entries and the top three conservation messages receive cash awards. Additionally, the first place national art award winner, his or her art teacher and a parent are invited to participate in the First Day of Sale Ceremony for the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp, in Washington, D.C.
The Junior Duck Stamp contest offers positive reinforcement for all participants: each receives a certificate of appreciation, and 100 students in each state, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories are awarded prizes at the state level.
Students, teachers or parents interested in participating in the Junior Duck Stamp Program should contact their state coordinator to request an official contest brochure. For more information and a list of state coordinators, visit the Junior Duck Stamp Program Website: http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck.
The 2007 Junior Duck Stamp goes on sale June 22, 2007. To purchase a Junior Duck Stamp and support environmental education, contact the U.S. Postal Service at http://www.usps.com or 1-800-STAMP24 (1-800-782-6724), or the Amplex Corporation at http://www.duckstamp.com or 1-800-852-4897.
