The current Junior Duck Stamp features two wood ducks drawn by Andrew Kneeland of Wyoming.
Jaye Boswell, “Mother of the Junior Duck Stamp Program” (center), accepted an award last fall for her JDS work from Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland (left) and Florida JDS Coordinator Becky Larkins. Boswell still participates in Florida-wide competitions at “Ding” Darling, where the state judging is held annually.
‘Ding’ Darling to host 2016 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Judging for first time ever!
The public is invited to attend the judging of the Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Contest at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island in celebration of Earth Day on April 22, 2016. This is a first-ever event for the refuge, which annually hosts the contest judging at the state level.
“This is beyond exciting!” said Ranger Becky Larkins, the refuge education specialist who also runs the Florida JDS program. “It’s only fitting that we get to host a judging, because the Junior Duck Stamp program actually started right here on Sanibel Island, and it was Jay ‘Ding’ Darling who started the Federal Duck Stamp Program that the junior program spun off from.”
Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling initiated the Federal Duck Stamp Program in 1934 as head of the U.S. Biological Survey (precursor to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) to raise funds for purchasing refuge lands across the country. He also designed the first federal duck stamp.
The JDS is an extension of the Federal Duck Stamp program. Former Sanibel elementary art schoolteacher Jaye Boswell began the junior program with her students in 1989. The first national Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was held in 1993.
Each state holds its own JDS contest for students from kindergarten to high school seniors. Larkins’ Florida contest typically receives around 3,000 entries. Best of Show winners from all the U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and several territories are then entered into the federal judging. For the past 20-plus years, that contest has taken place in the Washington, D.C., area.
“The winning artwork selected at ‘Ding’ Darling will grace the 2016-2017 Junior Duck Stamp,” said supervisory refuge ranger Toni Westland, who is organizing the event with the help of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS). “The five-dollar purchase price of the stamp goes directly to funding the environmental education opportunities and recognition for the children who participate in the program, as well as awards for the top winners.”
The judging will take place in the Refuge Visitor & Education Center on April 22. Seating will be limited and on a first-come basis. Times will be announced closer to the date.
“We have yet to place a first-place winner from Florida,” said Larkins. “We’re hoping this is the year!”
ABOUT DDWS
As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop proceeds.
To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org or contact Birgie Miller at 1- 239-292-0566 or [email protected].
