Save the date for the 75th Federal Duck Stamp Contest & “Ding” Darling Days

Celebrate the Art of Conservation Oct. 8-14, 2007

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Federal Duck Stamp, the judging for the winning 2008-2009 stamp will take place on Sanibel Island, where the father of the Duck Stamp, Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, helped establish a refuge that today bears his name.

Darling, a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and active conservationist, initiated the Duck Stamp program and designed the first duck stamp in 1934.

The judging will be held in conjunction with the 18th annual “Ding” Darling Days, Oct. 8-14, 2007, at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

Hundreds of prominent wildlife artists from across the country enter the Duck Stamp Contest, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious art competition, each year. The winning design graces the following year’s stamp.

Artists have a choice of five waterfowl to portray for the 2008-2009 stamp: the Mallard, American Green-winged Teal, Pintail, Canvasback, or Harlequin Duck. A panel of five judges with expertise in waterfowl biology, stamp design, and artistic detail will select the winner.

The public is invited to view the exhibit of Duck Stamp entries on display at BIG ARTS’ Phillips Gallery the week of the contest and will be able to sit in on the judging and special presentations Oct. 12 and 13.

“Ding” Darling Days’ Family Fun Day will follow on Sunday, Oct. 14, with all-free refuge tram tours, live animal presentations, a butterfly house, conservation exhibits, hot dogs, sodas, and more. (Family Fun Day moves from a Saturday to a Sunday this year because of the judging events.)

Birding and kayaking tours, environmental speakers, a nature photography contest, Junior Duck Stamp Awards, and showings of a historical film about Darling’s life will fill the week with environmental activities for all ages.

For more information, call the refuge at 239-472-1100, or log onto www.dingdarlingdays.com or www.fws.gov/duckstamps.