Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Program

Support Conservation, Education and the Arts! Buy your 2016-2017 Junior Duck Stamps

A pair of Ross's geese are featured on the 2016-2017 Junior Duck Stamp, which went on sale June 24. Stacy Shen, 16, of Fremont, Calif. took top honors at the 2016 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest, held April 22 at  J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR in Sanibel, Fla.

More Information
 News release
Buy Junior Duck Stamps
 Gallery of Junior Duck Stamp Best of Show Art
 Full contest results (Top 25)(71.6KB)

2016-2017 Junior Duck Stamp, featuring a pair of Ross's geese by Stacy Shen, 16, of Fremont, Calif.
High-resolution versions of this image are available for certain uses. Contact Rachel Levin at rachel_levin@fws.gov or 703-358-2405

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is a dynamic art- and science-based curriculum that teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. 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.

 Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Fact Sheet (3.4MB)
 Spanish Fact Sheet (2014 version) (890.6KB)

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 began in 1989 as an extension of the Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp, commonly known as the Federal Duck Stamp. The national Junior Duck Stamp art contest started in 1993 and the first stamp design was selected from the eight participating states. The program was recognized by Congress with the 1994 enactment of the  Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act.

By 2000, the program included all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories. The program encourages partnerships among federal and state government agencies, nongovernment organizations, businesses, and volunteers to help recognize and honor thousands of teachers and students throughout the United States for their participation in conservation-related activities.

A four-part curriculum guide with activities and resources can be used as a year-round study plan to assist students in exploring science in real-life situations. Using scientific and wildlife observation principles, students are encouraged to communicate visually what they have learned through an entry into the Junior Duck Stamp art contest. This non-traditional pairing of subjects brings new interest to both the sciences and the arts. It crosses cultural, ethnic, social and geographic boundaries to teach greater awareness of our nation's natural resources.

More than 27,300 students entered state art contests in 2016. By displaying student artwork and delivering waterfowl and wetland related outdoor activities, state coordinators share student accomplishments with even students, families and communities annually. 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.

Be a "friend" of the junior duck stamp

The  Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp is a nonprofit organization that supports promotion, preservation, sales, and better understanding of the Federal Duck Stamp's conservation mission. The Friends also support the conservation education mission of the Junior Duck Stamp Program.