The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual Junior Duck Stamp art contest is once again underway in New Mexico. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to submit their unique designs of North American waterfowl on or before the Monday, March 15, 2009 deadline.
The Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design is an art and science-based program developed for schools by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to teach students about wetland habitat and waterfowl conservation. This program incorporates scientific and wildlife management principles into a visual arts curriculum, which crosses cultural, ethnic, social, and geographic boundaries to teach greater awareness of our Nation’s natural resources.
Entries will be judged at the state level in four grade categories: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. First-, second-, and third-place winners will be awarded for each age group.
From the 12 winners, judges will select a Best of Show. The Best of Show winner for New Mexico will receive a $500 scholarship and his/her entry will be entered in the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest. The National first place winner receives $5,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in the First Day of Sale ceremony in late June/early July. Best of Show entries will be displayed at waterfowl festivals, wildlife museums, and art galleries throughout the United States.
Each year a Federal Junior Duck Stamp is created from the first place design from the National contest. The stamps are then sold for $5 each by the post office, national wildlife refuges, major sporting goods stores, and on the internet. Proceeds from the sale of the Junior Duck Stamps go towards supporting conservation education, and providing awards and scholarships for the students, teachers, and schools that participate in the program.
Students or educators interested in participating can get information and contest entry forms for the National Junior Duck Stamp Program by visiting: www.fws.gov/juniorduck or request contest information from Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge at 575-835-1828. Entries will be judged according to design requirements specified in the contest information.
Entries should be submitted to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 280, San Antonio, NM, 87832, Attn: Daniel Perry and postmarked by Monday, March 15, 2010.
