Duck stamp competition open

Young artists with an interest in waterfowl can enter their artwork in the 2009 Federal Junior Duck Stamp competition. The contest is open to any private or public school student, home schooled or privately taught art student.
Participants select a species of North American waterfowl, do research on the species and the habitat, and then depict the waterfowl in an artistic medium.
All New Jersey entries must be mailed to the Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 and postmarked by midnight of the March 15 deadline.
Detailed information on rules, format and entry procedures is available on the website fws.gov/juniorduck and through the Wetlands Institute, 609-368-1211 or emailing coc@wetlandsinstitute.org.
Entries are divided into four age group categories, with 12 winners in each category (three firsts, three seconds and three third place winners), plus an additional 64 honorable mentions.
A Best of Show will be selected from the hundreds of entries and will represent that state at the national level of competition in Washington D.C. on April 22, Earth Day, at the National Postal Museum.
The National Best of Show winner’s art will be used on the 2009 Junior Duck Stamp.
All students entering the New Jersey competition receive a Certificate of Participation.
Winning students and their families will be invited to an awards luncheon in June at the Wetlands Institute where the winning entries will be on exhibit before being displayed at various locations around New Jersey during the coming year.
The Junior Duck Stamp Program was developed to teach students more about environmental science and habitat conservation and to help students explore the esthetic qualities of wildlife and nature.
Proceeds from the sales of Junior Duck Stamps and Duck Stamps are used to purchase wetland property for conservation. Both stamps can be purchased at the Wetlands Institute.