Young artists encouraged to submit work to Junior Duck Stamp contest

Calling all student artists in kindergarten through twelfth grade. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting entries for the 2016 Iowa Federal Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) art contest.

In entering the JDS contest, students learn about waterfowl and their habitat, and then create an image of an eligible North American waterfowl species. This contest can be entered by school groups, informal groups or the student may enter individually.

Iowa entries for 2016 must be postmarked by March 15, 2016, and mailed to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 399, 9981 Pacific Street, Prairie City, Iowa 50228. All information needed to participate can be found on the website.

The 2015 Iowa Junior Duck Stamp winner was Rae Clinkenbeard, a 16-year-old, from Denison. Her entry was a mallard pair done in pastels. Rae?s entry is now traveling around the United States with all the state Best of Show winners.

The entries are judged by a panel of five judges with 100 Iowa students receiving awards. The Best of Show from Iowa is submitted to the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest, in Washington, D.C. One image from the Best of Show entries from each state will become the next Junior Duck Stamp, with cash prizes for the national first, second and third place winner.

The Junior Duck Stamps are sold for $5, with the proceeds from the sale of the stamp being returned to the program for environmental and conservation education.

Contact the Iowa Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator, Doreen Van Ryswyk, by calling 515-994-3400 or email Doreen_VanRyswyk@fws.gov for more information.