Enter your waterfowl artwork in Connecticut’s annual Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Art Contest

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is once again inviting artists to enter their waterfowl artwork in Connecticut’s annual Migratory Bird Conservation (Duck) Stamp Art Contest. DEEP continues to encourage local artists to submit entries that contain Connecticut specific imagery. The winning entry in this contest will be featured on the 2020 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp.

This will be the final year for the current format of the artistic competition. Starting in 2021, the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp will feature the winning artwork from the Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Competition. This change is being made so that future stamps will feature artwork from Connecticut artists, while at the same time conservation awareness will be encouraged in young people through the Junior Duck Stamp Program. Every student, from kindergarten through high school, who participates in the Junior Duck Stamp Competition is provided with a limited curriculum on wetland conservation, waterfowl, and nature in general. The program encourages students to explore their natural world, invites them to investigate biology and wildlife management principles, and challenges them to express and share what they have learned with others. As the use of technology has increased, a general connection with nature and the outdoors has decreased. It is anticipated that in some small part, this program can help connect young people with the natural world. More information on the Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Program can be found at www.ct.gov/deep/CTDuckStamp.

“The Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program is a great example of how conservation works – concerned citizens paying into a program that was formed to protect and enhance vital habitat. Being more than just a ‘Duck’ Stamp, the conservation work it funds provides habitat for a multitude of wildlife species, including herons, egrets, fish, and amphibians,” said DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen.

“By state law, funds generated from the sale of Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamps can only be used for the development, management, preservation, conservation, acquisition, purchase, and maintenance of waterfowl habitat and wetlands, as well as the purchase and acquisition of recreational rights or interests relating to migratory birds,” added Whalen.

Contest Details

  • The contest is open to all artists (including Junior Duck Stamp artists), regardless of residence, age, or experience. Artwork may be in any full-color medium, including acrylic, oil, colored pencil, and watercolor. Images that include a Connecticut scene or landmark are highly preferred. Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, general rendering, and suitability for reproduction.
  • Entries must be received in person or postmarked on or before April 15, 2019, to be eligible. Entries should be sent to: CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Attn: Migratory Game Bird Program, 391 Route 32, North Franklin, CT 06254.

Full contest rules, judging criteria, and an official entry certificate are available on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/ctduckstamp or by calling the DEEP Wildlife Division’s Franklin office at 860-418-5952.

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Submitted by Darien, CT

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