“I can’t
believe I won!” nine-year-old
Kyle Cantanese told his mother with a huge smile after his drawing
took first place in his age group in the 2007 California Junior
Duck Stamp Competition. “I didn’t think I would get
this far.”
Kyle and his mother and sister made a
two-hour trip from Douglas City Elementary School to Willows Memorial
Hall
to
watch
the judging
on March 27. His mother,
Julie, thought it would be good for Kyle to see how the process worked. He was
the only student to enter the competition from his school. “We also wanted
to see the competition for next year as he moves up a level,” Julie said.
The third grader’s drawing was one of 1,720 entries from students all over
California. Any K-12 student may participate in the program. Judges focus on
the artistic expression and accuracy of a North American waterfowl species as
well as habitat and seasonal accuracy.
“It’s not just about drawing a duck. It
is a cross-curricular
conservation
education program,” said Marilyn Gamette, the California competition organizer.
Students in California are fortunate because not all states are under “a
unique highway in the sky,” she said.
The program requires students to conduct research in order to make their drawings
accurate. Then the program enables students to put that research into an expressive
drawing to encourage others to take action to conserve California’s natural
resources.
The Junior Duck Stamp Program is the only federally mandated art competition
and has been coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help raise
awareness about conservation since 1989. OWAC Supporting Member California Waterfowl
Association (CWA) has been a partner and co-sponsor of the program for over a
decade. CWA staff oversees a number of program aspects. With our partners, we
design, print and distribute Junior Duck Stamp materials (including posters,
a calendar and teaching materials) to almost 6,000 schools, extracurricular activity
groups, wildlife areas, and refuges every year.
“CWA is involved with the Junior Duck Stamp Program
because it provides a unique opportunity for youths and their parents to connect
with
nature and
learn about conservation,” explained CWA Public Information Officer Sarah
Swenty. “That connection is important to ensure a healthy future for wetlands
and waterfowl.”
The student drawings were separated into four categories based on age groups.
Out of each group, 25 talented students were selected as winners (ranging from
first place to honorable mention). Out of 12 first-place winners, Zhong Du of
Arcadia High was selected for Best of Show.
Du’s Best of Show art work will compete against the top winners from the
other 49 states as well as the District of Columbia and other U.S. territories
in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Competition. The winning art of that competition
is displayed on the Federal Junior Duck Stamp.
All students who enter receive participation certificates, and winners’ prizes
range from scholarships to wildlife-friendly gear such as binoculars or a field
backpack. The schools of the winning students also receive free art supplies.
The top 100 winning California entries will be publicly displayed while traveling
throughout the state this year.
CWA is working hard to provide opportunities for youth to experience, appreciate
and conserve our natural resources. Teacher’s packets and educator workshops
are available through CWA. For more information, please contact us at (916) 648-1406
or cwaeducation@calwaterfowl.org or visit www.caljrduckstamp.org.
Our partners include:
California Department of Fish and Game
California Department of Water Resources
California Rice Commission
Central Valley Joint Venture
Delta Waterfowl Foundation
Dorfman Pacific Company
Ducks Unlimited
Environmental Careers Organization
Grassland Water District
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Pacific Flyway Decoy Association
Tulare Basin Wetlands Association
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Complex
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