Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosts the Junior Duck Stamp conservation program, which is used in classrooms nationwide. This year, the year-long program ended with the Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest, held at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV. More than 29,000 students entered artwork through state competitions, and a panel of judges chose a canvasback duck oil painting created by six-year-old Madison Grimm of Burbank, SD, as the winner.

“I congratulate our winning artist and all of the young people who participate in the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program each year,” said Steve Guertin, deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and one of the judges for this year’s contest. “I was truly amazed by the talent shown in the art entries I saw today – it was difficult to choose just one winner.”

The Junior Duck Stamp Contest winner will receive $5,000. Proceeds from sales of the $5 Junior Duck Stamp support environmental education.

Federal Junior Duck Stamp Art by Madison Grimm, courtesy of USFWS