Stamp of Pride

By NRA staff


The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has selected the winner of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest, and it's a beauty! A single wood duck, done in acrylics, was painted by 16-year-old Lily Spang of Toledo, Ohio. Lily's entry, which previously won the Ohio State Junior Duck Stamp Contest, was judged the winner among the Best-of-Show entries from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Abraham Hunter, age 15, of Vienna, Ill., took second place with an acrylic painting depicting a pair of common goldeneyes. Third place went to Rebekah Nastav, age 18, of Amoret, Mo., for her rendition of common goldeneyes.

This year, more than 28,000 Junior Duck Stamp Design entries were entered to be judged during state competitions held from February until mid-April. The judges are people active in the local wildlife art or conservation community.

The state “Best of Show” winning designs were then sent to Washington, D.C., where the top three entries were chosen by a panel of five judges. The Junior Duck Stamp Contest winner received a free trip in June to the First Day of Sale Ceremony for the Federal Duck Stamp, along with their art teacher and a parent. The first-place winner received a $5,000 award. The second place winner received $3,000, the third-place winner received $2,000, and Conservation Message winner received $500.

The 2009-2010 Federal Junior Duck Stamp, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sells for $5 to stamp collectors, conservationists and the general public were released June 26. Proceeds from Junior Duck Stamp sales are used to support environmental education efforts and awards for contest winners.

For more information and a complete list of images and contest results, please see the Duck Stamp Program's home page at www.fws.gov/duckstamps/ or the Junior Duck Stamp Program's home page at www.fws.gov/juniorduck.  

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for its scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information about FWS' mission, visit www.fws.gov.