2012-13 Junior Duck Stamp to Debut
The 2012-2013 Federal Junior Duck Stamp, based on a design by 17-year-old Christine Clayton of Sidney, Ohio, will go on sale June 29. The First Day of Sale event for both the Federal Duck Stamp and the Junior Duck Stamp will be held on that day at the BassPro Shops retail outlet in Hampton, Virginia. The Federal Stamp costs $15; the Junior Duck Stamp costs $5.
All environmental and bird educators should know that the proceeds for the Federal Stamp go to build wetland and grassland habitat in the Refuge System and that the proceeds for the Junior Duck Stamp go to support the program’s conservation education awards and scholarships. The Junior Duck Stamp’s intent is to create a wetland-and-waterfowl conservation interest, beginning with youth-based art.
With that goal in mind, a creative and thorough “Educator Guide” and additional “Youth Guide” for the Junior Duck Stamp were released earlier this year. These guides, designed for students grade 5-8 (with adaptations for other grades), provide lesson plans, exercises, and activities focusing on scientific principles, our natural world, an art connection, and just plain fun. They meet National Science Education Content Standards, North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Guidelines for Learning, and National Visual Arts education standards for children in grades K-12. This is a real step forward, connecting young students with nature through science and art. To find out more and download the free guides, see here.
Finally, you may be interested in the new website for the Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp, whose mission is to promote, preserve, sell, and better understand the “Duck Stamp” and also to increase the popularity of the Junior Duck Stamp. Find more details on this group by clicking here.