U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have announced the winner of the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest: 12-year-old Isaac Schreiber of Duffield, Va.
A panel of five judges chose the entry, which features a pair of trumpeter swans and is painted in acrylic, from among best-of-show entries from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The selection will serve as the 25th Junior Duck Stamp.
“We have to get more kids outside and away from all the screens. Programs like the Junior Duck Stamp contest are great ways to help inspire the next generation of Teddy Roosevelt conservationists and outdoorsmen and women,” said Secretary Zinke. “I grew up with a fly rod in one hand and a rifle in the other, hunting and fishing on our public lands and waters. My kids had the same opportunity and I want to make sure future generations do too. Every child we reach through this program is a future steward and participant in our public lands.”
The Junior Duck Stamp program began in 1989 as an extension of the Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp, commonly known as the Federal Duck Stamp, and officially launched as the national Junior Duck Stamp art contest in 1993. It encourages students to explore their natural world, participate in outdoor recreation activities, and learn wildlife management principles.
Daniel Billings, 16, of Gallatin, Mo., claimed second place in the annual competition with his oil painting of a wood duck. Third place was awarded to Rene Christensen, 17, of Nekoosa, Wis., for her graphite rendition of a pair of Canada geese.
Additionally, USFWS announced that 14-year-old Catherine Wang of Johns Creek, Ga., won the 2017 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Message Contest. Her slogan, “Conservation is the promise that the children of tomorrow will witness the beauty of today," was selected from a bevy of entries.
“I am constantly amazed at the talent of all of our Junior Duck Stamp Program participants, and this year is no exception,” said Assistant Director for Migratory Birds Jerome Ford. “These young people express their appreciation for nature eloquently through their art and their conservation messages.”
The Junior Duck Stamp Contest winner receives $1,000. The second place winner receives $500, the third-place winner receives $200 and the Conservation Message winner receives $200.
Complete contest results can be found here. A gallery of all state Best-in-Show entries can be found here.
For more information, go to FWS.gov.
