Wednesday is the deadline for submitting entries for the annual Indiana Junior Duck Stamp Contest, a Conservation Through Art program that is administered by the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge.
The Junior Duck Stamp program promotes student learning about wetland habitat and waterfowl biology and is appropriate for students in kindergarten through high school.
To enter the contest, students should submit a piece of artwork featuring any of Indiana’s native ducks, geese or swans. A full list of permitted species is available online at fws.gov/juniorduck.
Entries should be postmarked (or delivered) by Wednesday to: Muscatatuck NWR, 12985 U.S. 50 East, Seymour, IN 47274.
Artwork 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 and prizes will be awarded. Contest judges select a state “Best of Show” from the 12 first-place winners, which is then submitted to the Federal Duck Stamp Office and entered into the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest. The winner of the national contest will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
The winning art from the national contest is used to create a Junior Duck Stamp each year. The Junior Duck Stamp is available for $5 online and from Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps support conservation education and provide awards and scholarships for participating students, teachers and schools.
A downloadable entry form and information on contest rules and regulations for teachers and supervising adults can be found online at fws.gov/juniorduck. For additional information/curriculum materials contact Jr. Duck Stamp state coordinator Donna Stanley by calling 812-522-4352 or sending an email to [email protected].
