The Delaware Junior Duck Stamp Program will host an art and conservation statement competition, a national art competition that is held each spring to select the design for the next Federal Junior Duck Stamp.

Each state will submit its best of show artwork and statement for the national competition. 

Competitors who participate will choose a waterfowl from a list of species on the official U.S. Fish and Wildlife webpage and draw a live portrayal of that species in its habitat demonstrating its natural behavior.

“For the judging process they’re not looking for just the waterfowl but its surroundings and behaviors, as well, because that’s the driver in conservation for the program, and showing that they learned something,” said Autumn Starcher, Junior Duck Stamp Program state coordinator. 

Submissions must be post-marked to the state 4-H office no later than March 15, 2017. The judging event will be held on March 28 at the New Castle County 4-H office, and is open to the public. 

The 4-H Junior Duck Stamp Program is an art and science based program that encourages wetland and waterfowl conservation through sharing and expression with art. The club utilizes activities from the Federal Junior Duck Stamp curriculum as well as nature field trips and art workshops to engage the participants in hands-on experiential learning. 

“Some kids might not be interested in science but they might really like art, so it engages the artistic kids in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and helps the science-oriented kids to be more creative,” said Starcher. 

Each submission will be checked for plagiarism and put into groups based on age. This year there will be four groups: Group I (grades K-3), Group II (grades 4-6), Group III (grades 7-9) and Group IV (grades 10-12).

Those who submit artwork work are encouraged, but not required, to write a conservation message that expresses what the child has learned through research and planning for their Duck Stamp entries.

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp program is a national conservation program through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that uses art and STEM activities to increase youth interest in and understanding of wetland and waterfowl conservation for kindergarten through 12th grade.

K-12 youth who are U.S. citizens are encouraged to participate in the statewide art competition. 

For more information on the Delaware Junior Duck Stamp Program or registration for the competition, see the website or contact Starcher at starcher@udel.edu.