STONE HARBOR – Young artists with an interest in waterfowl can enter their artwork in the 2012 Federal Junior Duck Stamp competition with the chance that their design could be selected for this year’s Junior Duck Stamp. The contest is open to any private or public school student, home schooled or privately taught art student.
Participants select a species of North American waterfowl, do research on the species and the habitat and then depict the waterfowl in an artistic medium. All New Jersey entries must be mailed to the Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 and postmarked by midnight of the March 15 deadline. Detailed information on rules, format and entry procedures is available at www.fws.gov/juniorduck or through the Wetlands Institute, 609-368-1211. Judging will be at the Wetlands Institute March 26.
Entries are divided into four age group categories, with 12 winners in each category (3 firsts, 3 seconds and 3 third place winners) plus an additional 64 honorable mentions. The Best of Show, selected from all entries for the New Jersey competition, will represent the state at the national level of competition, and the national winner will have his/her art used on the 2012 Junior Duck Stamp.
The Junior Duck Stamp Program was developed to teach students more about environmental science and habitat conservation and help students explore the esthetic qualities of wildlife and nature.