Contacts
Joshua Winchell
703 358-2279
joshua_winchell@fws.gov
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today a single wood duck was selected to appear on the 2009-2010 Federal Junior Duck Stamp. The design for the new stamp, painted by 16 year-old Lily Spang of Toledo, Ohio, was chosen by a panel of judges on April 22 at the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest held at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C.
The acrylic entry, which previously won the OhioState Junior Duck Stamp Contest, was judged the winner among the Best-of-Show entries from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 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 will be released on June 26, 2009. Proceeds from Junior Duck Stamp sales are used to support environmental education efforts and awards for contest winners.
“The Junior Duck Stamp Program is a unique effort that for 17 years has celebrated and taught conservation through the arts,” said Rowan Gould, Acting Director for the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. “One of the fathers of the modern conservation movement, Aldo Leopold, put great emphasis on the value of nature observation to conservation efforts. All Junior Duck Stamp artists carry on this tradition by translating their observations to canvas.”
Third place went to Rebekah Nastav, age 18, of Amoret, Missouri for her rendition of common goldeneyes.
The 2009 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Message Contest winner was 8-year old Christopher Voekel from New Mexico, with his entry: “Our environment, our responsibility, our future.”
"The National Postal Museum is always honored to be associated with the Junior Duck Stamp Program, as this is a vital tool in conserving our nation's natural resources,” said Allen Kane, Director of the National Postal Museum. “We are excited to continue our partnership by hosting this year’s contest.”
The National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest is the culmination of a year-long Junior Duck Stamp conservation curriculum used by educators across the nation. 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 today by a panel of five judges. The Junior Duck Stamp Contest winner receives 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 receives a $5,000 award. The second place winner receives $3,000, the third-place winner receives$2,000, and Conservation Message winner receives $500.
Judges for this year's national Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest were Joshua Spies, winning artist of the 2009-2010 Federal Duck Stamp competition; Cindy Tackett, U.S. Postal Service; Pam Matthes, Deputy Assistant Director Migratory Birds Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (retired); Millicent Williams, D.C. Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation; and Sean Mann, a world-champion duck and goose caller.
The First Day of Sale Ceremony for the 2009-2010 Federal and Junior Duck Stamps will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2009, at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Nashville, Tenn. It is free and open to the public. Both duck stamp artists will be available to sign stamps and covers at this event, and the U.S. Postal Service will have a special cancellation on-hand for collectors.
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. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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