Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, one of the northern refuges of Alaska, is host to the Alaska Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design program. The Junior Duck Stamp program integrates art and science in order to teach the importance of wetlands and waterfowl conservation to children.

Five judges unanimously awarded perfect scores to Aurora Firth, a 17 year-old home-schooled student from Anchor Point, who was named Best of Show in this year's competition. Aurora, who was also the Alaska Best of Show Winner in 2001 and 2003, topped this year's entries with an exquisite color pencil drawing of a Barrow's Goldeneye pair.

For the 2004 contest, a total of 977 entries were received from 72 different schools across Alaska. Three first, second, and third place winners, along with 16 honorable mentions, were selected from each of four grade groups (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12). The Alaska Best of Show was selected from the twelve first place winners and will soon vie with other state winners in Washington, D.C.

For more information regarding the Alaska Junior Duck Stamp program, please contact Shannon Nelson and Jennifer J. Reed, Co-Coordinators of the Alaska Junior Duck Stamp program, at (907) 456-0440 or education_specialist@fws.gov.