Sacramento, California 鈥� An acrylic painting of an American Wigeon is California鈥檚 entry in the 2023 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program art contest. Michelle Lin, age 16, of Fremont, California, won Best of Show with her work titled, "Glimpse of Temperance鈥�. Kwon鈥檚 sponsor is Irvington High School instructor Kimberly Parker.
Students entering the contest also submit a conservation message with their artwork. Sophia Fan, age 12, from San Jos茅, California, wrote the winning message 鈥� 鈥淓ach act of conservation is a bright brush stroke on the canvas that is our future.鈥� Fan鈥檚 sponsor is Visionary Arts鈥� instructor Helen Yang.
This year鈥檚 virtual competition received approximately 260 entries from students throughout the state. Twelve judges from various organizations including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), , , , Saved by Nature, and more, worked together to select this year鈥檚 winners. Lin鈥檚 painting and Fan鈥檚 conservation message will represent California in the National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest taking place on April 21, 2023. 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 , 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 .
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 or connect with us via , , , and .
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