The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting entries for the 2020 Michigan Junior Duck Stamp Contest administered by the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw. Entries must be postmarked by March 15.
The USFWS has hosted the contest in Michigan since 1995 to boost education and awareness about North America’s waterfowl and wetland resources. Sixteen-year-old Mandy He of Ann Arbor won in 2019 with her acrylic drawing of two Michigan mallard hens.
This year the program is expanding to accept all styles and types of two-dimensional visual artwork. All entries:
- Will be judged in four groups, according to grade level: K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
- May feature one of the following species: whistling ducks, swans, geese, brants, dabbling ducks, diving ducks, sea ducks, mergansers, stiff tails or Hawaiian ducks.
In addition to first-, second- and third-place entries, judges will select a “best of show” winner that will be submitted to the Federal Duck Stamp Office and entered into the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest.
The first-place art from the national contest is used to create a National Junior Duck Stamp. The Junior Duck Stamp is available for $5 from the U.S. Postal Service and from many national wildlife refuges. Proceeds from stamp sales support conservation education and provide awards and scholarships for participating students, teachers and schools.
Educators are encouraged to incorporate the contest into their classrooms by utilizing the Junior Duck Stamp Program curriculum to teach students about waterfowl biology and the importance of wetland habitats. Those wanting to include even more lessons and activities can register for the DNR’s Michigan’s Wondrous Wetlands and Waterfowl middle school curriculum.
Complete entry information and rules can be found at FWS.gov/JuniorDuck.
Questions? Contact Lionel Grant, Junior Duck Stamp state coordinator, 989-759-1669.
