News

2013 California Junior Duck Stamp Winners

May 08, 2013

The California Junior Duck Stamp contest has been a favorite program of the Central Valley Joint Venture partners for many years. It is an exciting program that brings the message of waterfowl and wetlands conservation into the classroom and results in an increased awareness, expressed through art.

This year, artwork from over 4,003 school-aged artists throughout the state was judged during the 23rd Annual California Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest in Willows, on March 28. In California, the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program is facilitated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC).

A panel of 10 judges was tasked with selecting 100 winners. The artwork was judged in four age groups: grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. From these groups, three first, three second, three third place, and 16 honorable mention winners were chosen. Winning designs received ribbons and all entrants received a certificate of appreciation and awards.

Fremont student Ariana Chen, age 14, won California’s Best of Show with a pair of red-breasted mergansers called “Just Passing Through”. Her artwork was submitted to Washington, DC, to compete with the other states’ Best of Show winners at the National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest. The national winner’s design will be made into the 2013-2014 Federal Junior Duck Stamp.

In addition, three conservation messages from each age group were selected to receive awards. These messages were submitted on the artwork entry form and judged for originality, understanding of wetland and waterfowl conservation, and inspiration. All 100 winning artwork entries and 12 winning conservation messages will be on display throughout the year at various California events.

During the judging, people commented passionately about the generous and supportive partnerships among the organizations that provide the funding and manpower to make this program so successful.

Volunteers from the Sacramento NWRC, California Waterfowl, and other partner organizations worked on the daunting task of laying out all the artwork, tallying scores, and recording the 100 winners. Additional major sponsors for the program include the California Rice Commission, California Department of Water Resources, and other federal, state, private, and non-profit environmental conservation and education agencies.