The Federal Junior Duck Stamp is an American art competition sponsored by the United States government for students to draw, or paint a duck realistically.
The program began in 1989 with a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and was first recognized by the United States Congress in 1994 when the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act was enacted.
Entries in the contest may be paintings or drawings. The program is designed to be "a dynamic arts curriculum that teaches wetlands and waterfowl conservation to students from kindergarten through high school". The best of show winner form each state participates in a national tour of entries and is forwarded to the national competition.
There is also a Conservation Message contest, where contestants write their own conservation messages about wildlife.
Each year, Junior Duck Stamp State Coordinators in all 50 U.S. states, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgins Islands help to bring the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program to more than 28,000 students. To honor the most dedicated coordinators, the Junior Duck Stamp Program developed the Green Ribbon Award for State Coordinator of the Year. We are pleased to recognize the 2011 State Coordinator of the Year, Marilyn Gamette of California. Gamette has been committed to the JDS program since its inception in 1989, working to expand the program in California and helping to break state and national records with 3,126 pieces of art submitted in 2011. Throughout her career and into her retirement from the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Gamette has inspired children and adults with her dedication and educational efforts.
Famous quotes containing the words junior, duck and/or stamp:
“The junior senator from Wisconsin, by his reckless charges, has so preyed upon the fears and hatreds and prejudices of the American people that he has started a prairie fire which neither he nor anyone else may be able to control.”
—J. William Fulbright (b. 1905)
“Alice: I put swimsuits in boxes six days a week.
George: Yeah. What about Sunday? Maybe then you put yourself in a swimsuit.
Alice: Oh, not me.
George: Why? You don’t look good in a swimsuit?
Alice: Sure I do. I can’t swim.
George: You’re kidding.
Alice: I never learned. I was even scared of the duck pond when I was a kid.”
—Michael Wilson (1914–1978)
“Preserving tradition has become a nice hobby, like stamp collecting.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)