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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting entries for the 2009 Wisconsin Junior Duck Stamp Contest, which will be held at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Necedah, Wis., on March 27. Entries must be postmarked by March 14.
“An increasing body of evidence shows, that a relationship with the natural world helps children become healthier in body and mind n the Junior Duck Stamp program is wonderful gateway to that relationship,” said H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The FWS has held a Junior Duck Stamp Contest in Wisconsin for several years. Last year, Samuel Schroeder of Holmen won the Wisconsin contest with a drawing of a pair of northern pintail. “We hope to have an even broader level of participation this year from schools and students across the state,” said Daniel Peterson, Junior Duck Stamp state coordinator.
This dynamic educational program uses both conservation and design principles to teach wetland habitat and waterfowl biology to students in kindergarten through high school. The program provides an opportunity for students to artistically express their knowledge of the diversity, interdependence and beauty of wildlife.
“The Junior Duck Stamp Contest celebrates children’s curiosity to learn about nature,” said Tom Melius, Midwest Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “By using their artistic talents, younger generations can develop an appreciation for migratory birds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife they may otherwise not be exposed to.”
Students may submit artwork featuring one of the following species: whistling ducks, swans, geese, brant, dabbling ducks, diving ducks, sea ducks, mergansers, stiff tails or Hawaiian ducks. A full list of permitted species is available online at
www.fws.gov/juniorduck.
Judging will be open to the public, and will be begin at 8:30 a.m. March 27 at the Ellen Allan Learning Center within Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. Artwork entries will be judged on the basis of original design, anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for reproduction on a 1-inch by 1.5-inch stamp.
During the contest, students will be judged in four groups according to grade level: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.Three first, three second and three third place entries, along with 16 honorable mentions will be selected from each group. Contest judges select a “Best of Show” from the 12 first-place winners, which will be submitted to the Federal Duck Stamp Office and entered into the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest held in April in Washington D.C.
The winner of the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest, along with his/her parent or guardian and teacher will receive a free trip to a First Day of Sale ceremony in late June/early July.
The first place art from the national contest is used to create a National Junior Duck Stamp each year. The Junior Duck Stamp is available for $5 from the U.S. Postal Service and from many national wildlife refuges. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps support conservation education and provide awards and scholarships for participating students, teachers and schools.
A downloadable entry form and information on contest rules and regulations for teachers and supervising adults can be found online at
www.fws.gov/juniorduck.
For additional information or if you have questions regarding your student’s or school’s participation in the Junior Duck Stamp contest, please contact Daniel Peterson at (608) 565-2551 or
Daniel_Peterson@fws.gov.
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