The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students. The program encourages students to explore their natural world, invites them to investigate biology and wildlife management principles and challenges them to express and share what they have learned with others.
The winning artwork from a national art contest serves as the design for the Junior Duck Stamp, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces annually. This $5 stamp has become a much sought after collector’s item. One hundred percent of the revenue from the sale of Junior Duck stamps goes to support recognition and environmental education activities for students who participate in the program. The program was recognized by Congress with the 1994 enactment of the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act.
More than 27,300 students entered state art contests in 2016. Several students who have participated in the program have gone on to become full-time wildlife artists and conservation professionals; many attribute their interest and success to their early exposure to the Junior Duck Stamp Program.
After studying waterfowl anatomy and habitat, choose a duck to redraw from the eligible North American waterfowl species listing. Complete the research worksheet to assist you in developing the correct habitat and seasonal representations for your duck. Use colored pencils to complete the original rendering of your duck in it’s habitat.
The physical size of submitted artwork must be 9″ x 12″ and horizontal. Each image must be a live portrayal of a native North American duck, swan or goose (refer to eligible species list). The entry may be multi-color, black and white, or a single color. No weak pencil, or computer-generated art will be accepted. No lettering, words, signatures or initials may appear on the front of the design. Design entries must be contestant’s original, hand-drawn creation and may not be traced or copied from published photographs or other artists’ works. Photographs taken by the student may be used as references in the development of the design. Computers or other mechanical devices may not be used in creating artwork.
The setting/scenes should depict birds in their natural habitat; for example, sea ducks should be shown in ocean areas. Feather colors should be appropriate to the time of the year depicted by the environment. Decoratively designed birds are to receive equal voting consideration as realistic depictions as long as they are anatomically correct according to species depicted. Students should not reproduce other artists’ visual images for the purpose of presenting them as their own creative work.
Only work that is the unique creation of the individual student should be entered into competition.
1.Scenes should depict birds in their natural habitat; for example, sea ducks should be shown in ocean areas. Feather colors should be appropriate to the time of the year depicted by the environment. Decoratively designed birds receive equal voting consideration as realistic depictions as long as they are anatomically correct according to species depicted. In sketchbook write out what you have found about the specific environment, seasonal significance and specific identification for your duck. Create two thumbnail sketches (of what you propose for your duck stamp image) of your chosen duck.
2. Write a short conservation message (90.7KB) that expresses the spirit of what you have learned through classroom discussions, research and planning for your Junior Duck Stamp Contest entries. Conservation messages should be limited to the space provided on the entry form
3. Completed Junior Duck Stamp in colored pencil
4. Completed paperwork. Entry Form Reference Sheet
