Calling student artists for 2016 Iowa Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting entries for the 2016 Iowa Federal Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) art contest from all student artists in kindergarten through 12th grade. In entering the JDS contest, students learn about waterfowl and their habitat, and then create an image of an eligible North American waterfowl species to enter into the contest.  This contest can be entered by school groups, informal groups, or students may enter individually.
Iowa entries for 2016 must be postmarked by March 15, 2016 and mailed to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 399, 9981 Pacific Street, Prairie City, IA 50228.  All information needed to participate can be found on the website. The website is new with a very long address, so participants are asked to conduct a website search for “junior duck stamp”.
The 2015 Iowa Junior Duck Stamp winner was Rae Clinkenbeard, a 16-year-old from Denison. Her entry was a mallard pair created in pastels, and it is now traveling around the United States with all the state Best of Show winners.
The entries are judged by a panel of five judges, with 100 Iowa students receiving awards. The Best of Show from Iowa is submitted to the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest in Washington, D.C. One image from the Best of Show entries from each state will become the next Junior Duck Stamp, with cash prizes for the national first-, second- and third-place winner. Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps are returned to the program for environmental and conservation education.
Anyone with further questions about the Junior Duck Stamp or the contest is asked to contact the Iowa Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator, Doreen Van Ryswyk, by calling 515-994-3400 or by e-mail at Doreen_VanRyswyk@fws.gov.