The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is gearing up for our favorite art contest. The 2016 Federal Duck Stamp Contest is being held in Philadelphia this year on September 9 and 10 at the Academy of Natural Sciences. The Federal Duck Stamp is one of the most successful conservation initiatives in U.S history. Since the program began in 1934, sales of Federal Duck Stamps have generated more than $800 million to acquire and preserve more than 5.7 million acres of bird and wildlife habitat.
Photo 1: This year’s Duck Stamp is currently being sold for $25. Put your stamp on conservation and purchase Duck Stamps here!
Throughout the summer, the refuge will be promoting the contest with some special programming, including bird themed summer camp weeks, film showings at various locations around the city, waterfowl related activities and tabling on the refuge every Wednesday in August from 9am-1pm, plus much more! Click here for a full list of what’s happening and the latest information about the contest.
Summer camp participant working hard on a Hooded Merganser drawing
We’ve also partnered with Art Sphere, Inc to promote the contest and get young people excited about celebrating conservation through art. Art Sphere will be leading 10 art workshops at different rec centers throughout the city in July and August. So far, John Heinz staff has visited one of these workshops at the Towey Rec Center in Philadelphia, bringing with them some taxidermy ducks, and teaching the students about duck anatomy, adaptations and the importance of wetland habitats. After the presentation, students drew ducks using a variety of mediums and techniques, including individual drawings and a group collage. We saw some amazing work come out of their projects. The artwork ranged from very realistic to very colorful and abstract. Everyone did a great job and had a lot of fun!
One student’s project featuring a Mallard Duck in the city
Students also had the amazing opportunity to paint a permanent mural featuring ducks and duck habitat on the walls at the Towey Rec Center. How exciting that they will be leaving a lasting impression on the rec center!
Two students having a great time making their mark on conservation by painting this awesome mural at the Towey Rec Center
We are having a great time in Philadelphia this summer celebrating the Duck Stamp and connecting conservation through art, so follow our updates using the hashtag #DuckStampPHL. Be sure to come check us out on September 9 and 10 at the Academy of Natural Sciences. General admission to the museum will be free on those dates!
The 2016 Federal Duck Stamp Contest and affiliated programming is made possible by our sponsors at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Friends of Heinz Refuge, Ducks Unlimited, Pennsylvania Game Commission, William Penn Foundation and National Audubon Society.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region 