Page 12 - 2018 SEPT/OCT Outdoor Oklahoma

GEORGIA ARTIST WINS JUNIOR DUCK STAMP CONTEST

A young artist from Johns Creek, Ga., took
top honors at the National Junior Duck Stamp
Art Contest this year. An emperor goose painted
by Rayen Kang, 18, graces the 2018-2019 Junior
Duck Stamp, which raises funds to educate and
engage the nation’s youth in wildlife and wet-
lands conservation, and outdoor recreation.
A panel of five judges chose her entry, painted
in acrylic, from among best-of-show entries from
all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands. Oklahoma’s winning
entry was a depiction of a mallard pair in colored
pencil by Harlie Hardage, 15, of Lawton.
“Connecting kids to the outdoors and get-
ting them involved early in hunting, fishing
and conservation is incredibly important,”
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said.
“Programs like the Junior Duck Stamp help
create future conservationists, hunters, out-
door enthusiasts — and maybe even the next National Junior Duck Stamp winner: Emperor goose painted by Rayen Kang.
Teddy Roosevelt.”
Students annually participate in the Junior
Duck Stamp Program at school, at home,
in after-school groups and at refuges, parks
and nature centers. After learning about wet-
lands, waterfowl and wildlife conservation,
they express what they’ve learned through a
drawing or painting of a duck, goose or swan.
The top piece of art in the nation — which
is chosen at the annual competition in April
— is featured on the Junior Duck Stamp, sales
of which support educational programs and
activities that nurture the next generation of
sportsmen and women, and conservationists.
The Junior Duck Stamp program began in
1989 as an extension of the Migratory Bird
Conservation and Hunting Stamp, commonly
known as the Duck Stamp. The first national
Junior Duck Stamp art contest was held in
1993. About 3,000 Junior Duck Stamps are
sold annually for $5 each, and well over $1 mil- Best of Show from Oklahoma: Mallard pair in colored pencil by Harlie Hardage.
lion has been raised, which has been re-invested in this unique The Junior Duck Stamp Contest winner receives $1,000.
conservation arts and science education program. The second-place winner receives $500, the third-place win-
In addition to the art contest, a Junior Duck Stamp Conservation ner receives $200, and the Conservation Message winner
Message Contest encourages students to expresses in words the receives $200.
spirit of what they have learned through classroom discussions, You can buy Junior Duck Stamps online through the U.S.
research and planning for their Junior Duck Stamp Contest entries. Postal Service and Amplex, and at some national wildlife
This year’s winner is Abigail McIntyre, 16, of Manhattan, Kan., refuges. Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps are
who wrote: “Conserving our wetlands is as important as conserving used for awards and scholarships to individuals who submit
our art. It is our history, our inspiration, our life and our future.” winning designs in state or national competitions and for
For contest results, visit fws.gov/birds/education/ awards to schools and other participants to further educa-
junior-duck-stamp-conservation-program.php. A gallery of all tion activities related to the conservation education goals of
state Best of Show entries can be found online. Teachers can the program.
also find curriculum on the website to get their classes involved Learn more about the Federal and Junior Duck Stamps at
in the program. https://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp.php.

10 Off the Beaten Path

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