Iowa Junior Duck Stamp Contest Winners on Display at the Storm Lake Public Library

The 2007 Iowa Junior Duck Stamp Contest winners on will be on display from August 15 to August 27 at the Storm Lake Public Library.  On display will be 36 pieces of artwork to include the first, second, and third place winners.  These student winners come from across the state of Iowa.  Danny Reed, an 18-year-old from Oskaloosa High School, was the 2007 Iowa Best of Show winner.  Danny’s entry was his acrylic rendition of a greater scaup on the water.  His original artwork was sent to Washington, D.C. to participate in the national contest and is now traveling the United States as part of the best of show winners from all 50 states.  A replication of Danny’s artwork is on display at the Storm Lake Public Library.

Two students from this area have artwork in this exhibit.  Gretchen Tiedeman and Megan Juilfs, both from the Newell-Fonda Community School District, received second place in their groups.

The Junior Duck Stamp Contest is modeled after the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the “Duck Stamp”.  The competition is held annually in all 50 states.  This year, more than 34,000 students competed across the nation.  The Iowa Junior Duck Stamp Program, managed by the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge near Prairie City, is a conservation program designed to teach students about waterfowl conservation and wetlands habitat through an art and science-based curriculum.

All students in grades K-12 may participate in the contest.  Many students participate as part of a class assignment at school, but students may also enter individually.  Entries for the 2008 contest must be postmarked by March 15, 2008, and mailed to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 399, 9981 Pacific Street, Prairie City, Iowa 50228.

Everyone is invited to visit the Storm Lake Public Library this month to see winning artwork.  For more information about the contest, contact Doreen Van Ryswyk at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge at (515)994-3400 or go to the website: http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps.  Information is also available at the exhibit at the library.

	Main Display at the Storm Lake Public Library.
	Iowa Best of Show Artist: Danny Reed
	Second Place Winner from Newell
	Second Place Winner from Newell