Wood Duck Depicted by Winner of Junior Duck Stamp Contest

Wood Duck, by Lily Spang.

An acrylic painting of a Wood Duck by Lily Spang, age 16, of Toledo, Ohio is the winner of the 2009-2010 Federal Junior Duck Stamp competition. Her entry was chosen on April 22 by a panel of judges at contest held at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C.

"The Junior Duck Stamp Program is a unique effort that for 17 years has celebrated and taught conservation through the arts," said Rowan Gould, Acting Director for the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. "One of the fathers of the modern conservation movement, Aldo Leopold, put great emphasis on the value of nature observation to conservation efforts. All Junior Duck Stamp artists carry on this tradition by translating their observations to canvas."

Second place was awarded to Abraham Hunter, 15, of Vienna, Illinois with his acrylic painting of a hen and drake common goldeneyes.

Rebekah Nastav, age 18, of Amoret, Missouri took third place for a rendition of two male common goldeneyes.

Entrants were required to depict a "live portrayal of a native North American duck, swan or goose," according to contest entry rules. Entries had been received from each of the 50 states, and the District of Columbia.

"The National Postal Museum is always honored to be associated with the Junior Duck Stamp Program, as this is a vital tool in conserving our nation’s natural resources," said Allen Kane, Director of the National Postal Museum, which was the host for this years’ contest.

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp is sold for $5 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to stamp collectors, conservationists, and the general public, according to project sponsors. It will be released on June 26, 2009. Proceeds are used to support environmental education efforts and awards for contest winners.

"The first-place winner receives a $5,000 award. The second place winner receives $3,000, the third-place winner receives $2,000, and Conservation Message winner receives $500."

Christopher Voekel, age 8, from New Mexico, was the 2009 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Message Contest winner, with his entry: "Our environment, our responsibility, our future."

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Each of the entries in the 2009 Junior Duck Stamp can be viewed at a web gallery.