5.1 Purpose. The Junior Duck Stamp is issued by the U.S. Government to produce revenue for conservation education awards and scholarships to the program participants. It is a collectable used to bring recognition to the Service, participants, wildlife, wetlands, and sponsors of the program. Receipts from the sale of the stamps and royalties from the sale of products bearing reproductions of the stamp are deposited in the Junior Duck Stamp Resource Fund (a dedicated fund not subject to appropriations).
5.2 Authority. Authority for the disposition and sale of the Junior Duck Stamp is found in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994 (H.R. 3679, P.L. 103-340).
5.3 Background. The concept was inspired by an elementary school teacher as a project for her students to participate in the annual J.N. "Ding" Darling birthday celebration at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island, Florida. The idea of using a visual arts based approach to teach scientific and wildlife management principles and focus public attention on wetlands and waterfowl conservation was developed with a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in 1989. After testing the K-12 curriculum materials in the Sanibel Island Elementary/Middle School, California and Florida piloted the first state contests in 1990. In 1991, Illinois was added; in 1992 Arkansas, Kansas, and Vermont brought the number of participating states to 6. The program, opened to students in all public and private schools, allowed entry of any North American ducks, swans, or geese and awarded 100 ribbons in each state contest across all grades groups. The state best of show was the highest award presented. A state stamp sheet was created which depicted nine state best of show winning entries from 1991 to 1992. The Service adopted the program in 1993 adding two more states, South Dakota and Maryland. The first national competition was held to select a winning design which was used to create the first (1993-94) Federal Junior Duck Stamp. By 1995, 50 states and the District of Columbia were participating in the program. With Hawaii's participation in 1996, the laysan duck and koloa were added to the eligible species, and in 1997, the nene goose was included.
5.4 Responsibilities.
A. Assistant Director - External Affairs is responsible for oversight of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program.
B. Chief, Federal Duck Stamp Office is responsible for:
(1) Managing the program so as to increase stamp and royalty receipts deposited in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Resource Fund, thereby resulting in increased conservation education awards and scholarships to the program participants.
(2) Increasing public awareness of the Junior Duck Stamp and its contribution to conservation education.
(3) Developing and following strict management controls to assure proper handling of the accountability for stamps, products, and associated monies.
C. Regional Directors are responsible for overall operation of the program in their Regions in accordance with this part. Regional Directors will appoint a Regional Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator and State Junior Duck Stamp Coordinators in their Region.
D. Regional Junior Duck Stamp Coordinators are responsible for facilitating the program in states within their Region by assisting state coordinators when necessary, and by coordinating and promoting program recognition from the Regional Public Affairs Office.
E. State Junior Duck Stamp Coordinators are responsible for facilitating the program in their state by conducting a state Junior Duck Stamp competition, exhibiting the state winning designs throughout the state during the year following each competition, promoting program recognition, and developing partnerships with local and state groups to conduct the program and/or provide additional awards. A guideline for conducting state contests is available from the Federal Duck Stamp Office.