Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program

US Fish & Wildlife Service program to encourage conservation through the arts.

Community & Environment Consulting worked with DJ Case & Associates to research, write, and design youth education resources to compliment the Federal Junior Duck Stamp annual art contest. The purpose is to provide youth with opportunities to investigate what is fun, unique, and mysterious about waterfowl and wetlands in North America and in their community.

Resources for home, school, and nonformal activities are available through the Junior Duck Stamp web pages, https://www.fws.gov/birds/education/junior-duck-stamp-conservation-program.php, and PDFs are also included below. National Wildlife Refuge staff provide support for parents and educators.

The Junior Duck Stamp Conservation & Design Program (Junior Duck Stamp Program) provides a science-based arts curriculum emphasizing conservation of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and wetlands. It is designed to spark youth interest in habitat conservation through a variety of complementary academic disciplines: science, art, math, and technology. Through this interdisciplinary approach, students choose activities that are meaningful and fun for them. Science is embedded throughout the learning activities, but each activity may emphasize math, reading, writing, social studies, art, or other forms of expression.

The curriculum also retains the original focus of an arts-based educational program. An emphasis on journaling and art provides students with opportunities to sharpen observation skills, record these observations on a continual basis, ask questions, explore possible answers, and reflect on their work and community service activities.

Andrews, E., D. Ledin, & K. Reilly. 2012. Research and writing team. US Fish & Wildlife Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program. Connecting Children with Nature through Science and Art! An opportunity to investigate what is fun, unique, and mysterious about waterfowl and wetlands in North America and in your community. Accessed June 2017 at https://www.fws.gov/birds/education/junior-duck-stamp-conservation-program.php