A watercolor painting of a pair of Black Scoters is California鈥檚 entry in the 2022 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program art contest. Kate Kwon, age 16, of Artesia, California, won Best of Show with her work titled, "Two Black Scoters." Kwon鈥檚 sponsor is D-Dim Academy instructor Wonsik Lee.
Students entering the contest also submit a conservation message with their artwork. William Kauffman, age 9, from Roseville, California, wrote the winning message 鈥� 鈥淣ature painted us [and] the wetlands but is it we who must conserve and appreciate the art.鈥� Kauffman鈥檚 sponsor is Crestmont Elementary鈥檚 instructor Patricia Sepulvado.
This year鈥檚 virtual competition received approximately 500 entries from students throughout the state. Eleven judges from various organizations including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), , Saved by Nature, , Precita Eyes Mural Arts & Visitor Center, and more worked together to select this year鈥檚 winners. Kwon鈥檚 painting and Kauffman鈥檚 conservation message will represent California in the National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest taking place April 22, 2022. The national winner鈥檚 design will be made into the annual Federal Junior Duck Stamp.
Administered by the Service, the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is a dynamic art and science-based curriculum designed to teach wetlands habitat and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. The annual program provides resources to educators to help students learn about the outdoor world and their connection to waterfowl, wetlands, and habitat conservation. In California, the Refuges鈥� Visitor Services team at the Service鈥檚 Pacific Southwest Regional Office in Sacramento facilitates the program.
The Junior Duck Stamp is sold by national wildlife refuges, the U.S. Postal Service and the Amplex Corporation for $5. All proceeds are used to fund environmental education programs, reward students for their work, and expand the program. More information on the federal program can be found at /program/junior-duck-stamp.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit /office/pacific-southwest-region-headquarters or connect with us via , , , and .
