2011 Colorado Junior Duck Stamp Program

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that Colorado students (K-12) are welcome to participate in the 2011 Junior Duck Stamp Program (JDS).

This free art and science program is designed to teach wetlands habitat and waterfowl conservation to America’s youth. JDS participants employ scientific and wildlife observation principles to learn about the subject matter, and then communicate that knowledge visually by creating an entry to the JDS art contest.

This non-traditional pairing of subjects brings new interest to both the sciences and arts to students throughout the state, while fostering a greater awareness of and conservation ethic toward our nation’s natural resources.

The JDS contest begins each fall and proceeds through spring as students submit their artwork to their state coordinator.  Students at the state level are then judged in four groups, according to grade level. Three first, second, and third place entries are selected for each group.

A “best of show” is then selected by the judges from the first-place winners. Each state’s best of show is submitted to the Duck Stamp Office in Washington D.C., and entered into the national contest.

The first-place design from the national contest is used to create the official Junior Duck Stamp for the following year. These stamps are sold by the U.S. Postal Service for $5 each. Proceeds from sales support environmental education, and provide awards and scholarships for the students, teachers, and schools that participate in the program.

All entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2011. The award ceremony to honor the state winners and participating schools will be held at the Arvada Center on May 14, 2011.

For more details on how Colorado students, teachers, and schools in your area can participate in this fun educational program, contact Colorado State Coordinator Seth Beres at (303) 289-0867 or visit: http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/ArtContest.htm

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

11th Annual Snow Goose Festival

The 11th Annual Snow Goose Festival in Chico, January 28 – 31, 2010, will again celebrate the spectacular winter waterfowl migration in the North Sacramento Valley. Millions of geese, ducks, swans and other birds arrive here from as far away as the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, and Siberia, making the Sacramento Valley the most important wintering area along the great Pacific Flyway.

The Festival tells the story in live action with over 50 field trips and workshops that range out into six counties. The field trips spread out from the Chico Masonic Family Center in Chico into the rice fields, wildlife refuges and river walks where mild winter weather, abundant food and lots of water draw the avian arrivals.

Highlights of the Festival include a Friday night Wildlife Art Exhibit and Uptown/Downtown Reception with free trolley ride between the two hosting galleries. The “Gathering of Wings Banquet” on Saturday night will feature keynote speaker Stephen Shunk – well-know birder and woodpecker specialist, talking on “Birding Through the Veil of Winter.” All Festival events are affordably priced and for out-of-towners, local hotels are offering special rates.

For more detailed information, a schedule or to make reservations call 530 345-1865 or visit the Festival’s website at www.snowgoosefestival.org

Red Head Duck Apparel - Collectibles

Just in time for Christmas, Outdoors USA is offering a new line of North American ducks art. Among the latest designs are a collection of redhead duck collectibles, featuring a stunning photo of a redhead drake.

Winter Waterfowl Artists

In spite of the cold temperatures, photographers, birdwatchers, and artists are out capturing images of wildlife or just watching waterfowl up close.

The photo captures a male shoveler duck in flight on Assateague Island Virginia. Shovelers feed by swinging their bill from side to side while straining food from the water.

In flight, the pattern of slate-blue, white, and black on their wings is an identifying feature.