Art is said to help children of all ages retain knowledge and think more creatively. The annual Jr. Duck Stamp Art Contest brings this philosophy to the forefront. The contest is open to youth in grades K – 12 nationwide.

Now completing the 22nd year the contest was once again a success. Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery was proud to host the judging of the Kentucky Jr. Duck Stamp Art Contest on March 20, 2015.

With 978 pieces of art work to choose from the judges had their work cut out for them. Many thanks to the wonderful panel of judges; Robin Webb, State Senator and President of the Executive Council of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), Deena Whelby NRCS Assistant State Conservationist, Orville Crigler, Publisher’s Press, Christopher Walden professional Wildlife and Landscape artist and Moria Painter, US Fish and Wildlife Service. A variety of Judges are selected so that the panel collectively has knowledge of waterfowl and their habitat, duck stamps and conservation, as well as art and artistic abilities of children.

This annual event is made possible by sponsorship from Publisher’s Press, the Kentucky Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, LG&E and KU, Friends of Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Higdon Outdoors, Unique Promotional Products and Acorn Naturalists.

These sponsors help make it possible to provide quality prizes to participating students and the teachers/group leaders that instructed them including: cash, plaques, ribbons, t-shirts, hats, art supplies, wildlife identification, duck/goose calls, duck decoys, and outdoor educational supplies.

Out of the 978 entries from 19 counties across the state of Kentucky, there were 100 1st, 2nd, 3rd and honorable mention winners. In addition, 400 pieces of art were selected for Special Recognition awards, each of these students will receive a special prize thanks to our generous sponsors. The 2015 Best of Show Art Design was done by Brennan Schaefer from Union, KY. He used colored pencil and pastels to create a Fulvous Whistling Duck. The 2015 Best of Show Conservation Message was by Finn Wooten of Salem, KY. His message was, “A ruddy duck is better than a muddy duck, so let’s keep its home clean.”

Clinton County students made a great showing with 14 students placing in the top 100 – 3rd place (4th-6th grade) Blake Harlan, Clinton Co. MS and (10th-12th grade) Jessica Armstrong, Clinton Co. HS. The following Honorable Mention from Clinton Co. Middle School (4th-6th grade) Destiny Sparks, Tucker Hickman, Jaden Gibson, (7th-9th grade) Christina Collins, Courtney Guthrie, and Makaya Gregory; from Clinton Co. High School (10th-12th grade) Ashley Russell, Jed Randolf, Kelsie Payne, Kaylee Burchett, Samantha Stewart and Brett Shepherd.

The Junior Duck Stamp Art and Writing Contest is a dynamic arts and science curriculum that teaches wetlands and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school.

The program incorporates scientific and wildlife management principles into a visual arts curriculum, with participants completing a Duck Stamp as their visual “term papers” along with a short conservation message to express what they learned.

Revenue from the sales of the JDS goes to support awards and environmental education for students who participate in the program, as well as efforts to market the stamp. Since 1989, the sales of Junior Duck Stamps have generated more than $1,250,000.

Wolf Creek NFH improves scientific literacy through nationally recognized formal and non-formal science and conservation education programs. For more information on other programs for youth through Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, please contact: Moira Painter, Environmental Education/Outreach Specialist, at 270-343-3797 or via email: moria_painter@fws.gov

For complete details and updated information visit fws.gov/wolfcreek/ For regular updates, photos, hatchery news and more, follow us on Facebook facebook.com/WolfCreekNFH/ and on Twitter twitter.com/WolfCreekNFH/

Article and photos submitted by Moria Painter, USFWS.