| Editor's note: Out of more than 660 entries, artwork by Rebekah Nastav, age 18 of Amoret, MO was judged best of show. Her entry, an acrylic painting of a Common Goldeneye, will advance to the 2009 Federal Junior Duck Stamp contest to be held April 22 at the National Postal Museum in Washington, DC. Artwork was judged on the basis of original design, anatomical accuracy, artistic compositon and suitability for reproduction on a 1"x 1.5" stamp.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting entries for the 2009 Missouri Junior Duck Stamp Contest, which will be held at USGS Columbia (MO) Environmental Research Center on April 2nd, 2009. Entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2009. Rebeckah Nastav of Amoret, MO was the 2008 winner with her drawing of a Hooded Merganzer.
“An increasing body of evidence shows, that a relationship with the natural world helps children become healthier in body and mind – the Junior Duck Stamp program is wonderful gateway to that relationship,” said H. Dale Hall, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that has held a contest in Missouri since 1992.
Students may submit artwork featuring one of the following species: whistling ducks, swans, geese, brant, dabbling ducks, diving ducks, sea ducks, mergansers, stiff tails, or Hawaiian ducks, or from the full list of permitted species available online here. The link also includes a down loadable entry form.
Judging, that will be open to the general public, will take place from 10 a.m. to about 2 p.m. on April 4, 2009 at the research center's Richard Schoettger Conference Building located at 4200 New Haven Rd., Columbia. Artwork entries will be judged on the basis of original design, anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for reproduction on a 1” by 1.5” stamp.
During the contest, students will be judged in four groups according to grade level: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Three first, three second and three third place entries, along with 16 honorable mentions will be selected from each group. Contest judges select a “Best of Show” entry from the 12 first place winners that will be submitted to the Federal Duck Stamp Office and entered into the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest held in April in Washington D.C. The national winner along with his/her parent or guardian and teacher will receive a free trip to a First Day of Sale ceremony in late June/early July.
First place art from the national contest is used to create a National Junior Duck Stamp each year. It is available for $5 from the U.S. Postal Service and from many National Wildlife Refuges. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps support conservation education and provide awards and scholarships for participating students, teachers and schools.
Entries and reference forms should be postmarked by March 15, 2009 and mailed to: c/o Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator Tim Haller, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, 4200 New Haven Rd., Columbia, MO 65201.
Additional information may be obtained from the Missouri state coordinator by sending an e-mail here.
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