A king eider will appear on the 2014-2015 Federal Junior Duck Stamp, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. The acrylic painting by 16-year-old Si Youn Kim, of Tenafly, N.J., was chosen by a panel of judges at the national Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest, held at the Service's National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W. Va.

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest is the culmination of a year-long Junior Duck Stamp conservation program used by educators across the nation. This year, more than 29,000 students participated in state Junior Duck Stamp competitions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Proceeds from sales of the $5 Junior Duck Stamp support environmental education.

"The Junior Duck Stamp Program is a great way for young people to use their creative talents to express an appreciation for nature and the world around them. This contest is an entry point into a career in conservation, as well," said Service Director Dan Ashe. "Children can see the results of their hard work and how their art plays a role in conservation -- something that will be with them for a lifetime."

Kim receives the first place prize of $1,000. Andrew Kneeland, 16, of Rock Springs, Wyo., took second place with an acrylic painting depicting a trumpeter swan with cygnets. He is awarded $500. Third place went to Jiahe Qu, 15, of Chandler, Ariz., who receives $200 for her rendition of a hooded merganser.

The 2014 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Message Contest winner, with a prize of $200, was 15-year-old Max Cheng from California, who wrote: "Conserving habitat is like painting a background. Without it, the picture is not complete."

For complete contest results, go to the Junior Duck Stamp Program's website at www.fws.gov/juniorduck . A gallery of all state Best of Show entries can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq/sets/72157643648583433/

The First Day of Sale Ceremony for the 2014-2015 Federal and Junior Duck Stamps will be held June 27 at the Department of the Interior building in Washington, D.C. The ceremony is free and open to the public. Both the Federal and Junior Duck Stamp artists will be available to sign stamps, and the U.S. Postal Service will have a special cancellation for collectors.

For more information about the program, visit: www.fws.gov/juniorduck

Laury Parramore
703-358-2541
Laury_Parramore@fws.gov