The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites students in grades kindergarten-12 to submit entries for the 23rd annual statewide competition for the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest.

Designs featuring ducks, geese or swans in their natural habitats will be judged in four age categories, with awards for first, second and third place and honorable mention.

Entries must be received by March 15.

A celebration of the 2017 contestants will be held on Saturday, March 25, at the LL Bean store in Freeport. Contestants are highly encouraged to come to this free event.

The Maine Best of Show entry will compete with contest winners from other states in a national competition in Washington, D.C. The first-place national winning design will be used to create the Federal Junior Duck Stamp. Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps (which cost $5 each) support conservation education by providing awards and scholarships for students, teachers and schools.

Modeled after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual Federal Duck Stamp competition, the Junior Duck Stamp contest is part of an educational curriculum that teaches students about waterfowl, the importance of wetlands and habitat conservation.

Proceeds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps protect wetlands through land acquisition by the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Contest rules and entry forms are currently available for download at www.fws.gov/juniorduck.

FMI: 207-646-9226.

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