A watercolor painting of a pair of Black Scoters is California’s 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’s 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 — “Nature painted us [and] the wetlands but is it we who must conserve and appreciate the art.” Kauffman’s sponsor is Crestmont Elementary’s instructor Patricia Sepulvado.
This year’s 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), Santa Rosa Junior College, Saved by Nature, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Precita Eyes Mural Arts & Visitor Center, and more worked together to select this year’s winners. Kwon’s painting and Kauffman’s conservation message will represent California in the National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest taking place April 22, 2022. The national winner’s 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’ Visitor Services team at the Service’s 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 https://www.fws.gov/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 https://www.fws.gov/office/pacific-southwest-region-headquarters or connect with us via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.
