JACKSON, Wyo. — This March, the National Elk Refuge will host the 2022 Wyoming Junior Duck Stamp Competition.
The art competition welcomes all students in grades K-12 (public, private, tribal and homeschools) to participate. To submit work in the 2022 competition, students will draw or paint a native North American waterfowl on a 9″ x 12″ sheet of paper and mail it to the National Elk Refuge, at 675 E. Broadway, P.O. Box, Jackson, WY 83001.
Artwork will be judged by local wildlife artists and outdoor professionals in late March. 36 winners and 64 honorable mentions will be awarded across four age groups, all of whom will receive prizes. The best-of-show winner in Wyoming will go on to compete in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Competition. The winning design is printed on the next year’s Junior Duck Stamp and sold for $5 each. The proceeds of the stamp will go towards wetland conservation and environmental education.
The Federal Duck Stamp Program was introduced in 1934 in response to the loss of wetlands and declines in waterfowl populations in North America. The Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act required that all waterfowl hunters purchase a conservation stamp along with their hunting license in order to raise funds for waterfowl and wetland conservation.
By 2000, all 50 states, the District of Colombia, and all U.S. Territories participated in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp competition. Today, the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program is not limited to waterfowl hunting enthusiasts; the program is also a great way to practice wildlife watching, create art, and learn about conservation.
To participate in the Wyoming Junior Duck Stamp Competition, please review the competition rules, which can be found here and submit entries to the National Elk Refuge postmarked by March 15, 2022. For more information, contact the Wyoming Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator, Raena Parsons.
