Sacramento, Calif. — A colored pencil painting of Mallard ducklings is California’s entry in the 2024 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program art contest. Olga Sergienko, age 16, of Sacramento, California, won Best of Show with her work titled, "Sunshine Ducklings”. Sergienko’s sponsor is Margarita Chaplinska Art Studio instructor Margarita Chaplinska.
Students entering the contest also submit a conservation message with their artwork. Lorie Wu, age 14, from Saratoga, California, wrote the winning message — “Yesterday, nature was a miracle. Today, it is a gift. Without conservation, tomorrow it will be a memory.” Fan’s sponsor is Visionary Arts’ instructor Helen Yang.
This year’s virtual competition received approximately 210 entries from students throughout the state. Eight judges from various organizations including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), San Diego Audubon, Santa Rosa Junior College, Arte Hasta la Muerte, and more worked together to select this year’s winners. Segienko’s painting and Wu’s conservation message will represent California in the National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest taking place on April 19, 2024. 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, visit www.fws.gov and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.
-FWS-
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