The Junior Duck Stamp Program

Katie Morris

In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.
—Baba Dioum

The “Junior” in the name indicates that it is the youth program that accompanies the Federal Duck Stamp Contest, the only government-sponsored art contest of its kind and our nation’s most successful conservation program, responsible for raising more than $800 million to conserve over six million acres of habitat. Both contests are equal parts art and science. Judges are looking for more than a beautiful picture; they consider scientific accuracy, including anatomy and habitat, along with composition and suitability of the design for a stamp.

I first experienced the Junior Duck Stamp program as a high school student, and I was excited to bring it into my own classroom. On the first day of the lesson, I give a bit of background information about Duck Stamps and explain the importance of wetlands for animals and people. After we talk about wetlands, we look at some photos and do a couple of quick demos on drawing ducks and geese. My best trick for drawing waterfowl standing or swimming is to look for the “S” shape that can usually be found by following the curves from the bottom of the beak down and around the neck and chest. This usually helps with placement. We talk about composition and how to use references without infringing on copyright. I have some photos of ducks and geese found in publications, but I’ve also included my own photos taken at zoos and a national wildlife refuge. Students then choose a bird and start drawing.

I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to share Duck Stamps with my students and other educators. As a choice-based teacher, I’ve used this lesson as a “have-to” project in elementary and middle school to teach a handful of skills at once. I love seeing students get excited about nature conservation!

Katie Morris is a pre-K–12 art teacher at Jackson Heights USD 335 in Holton, Kansas. katie.morris@jhcobras.net, katiemorrisart.com