DEEP Announces 2025 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Artwork

Press Releases

07/05/2024

DEEP Announces 2025 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Artwork

Connecticut Junior Ducks Stamp Contest Winner

(HARTFORD)–The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that an acrylic painting of a Northern Shoveler created by Storrs resident Alice Han (14) will be featured on the 2025 Connecticut Migratory Bird (Duck) Conservation Stamp. Alice’s beautifully illustrated painting was selected as “Best in Show” for the 2024 Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest, and she also won first place in the 7th-9th grade category of the contest. Alice’s “Best in Show” winner represented Connecticut in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp CompetitionOr Alice made it to the top 25 in the country!

Connecticut’s Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program began in the early 1990s when concerned sportsmen worked with DEEP to develop legislation that would generate revenue for wetland conservation. Modeled after the federal duck stamp program, Connecticut’s program requires the purchase of a state migratory bird conservation stamp, along with a hunting license, to legally hunt waterfowl. Under state law, funds generated from the sale of migratory bird conservation stamps may only be used for the development, management, preservation, conservation, acquisition, purchase, and maintenance of waterfowl habitat and wetlands, and the purchase and acquisition of recreational rights or interests in migratory birds.

“The Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program is a great example of how the North American wildlife conservation model works: Participants pay into funds that are dedicated exclusively to conservation.” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “The Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp is a vital source of funding for many wetland projects across our state. Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s contest and congratulations to Alice on her beautiful painting that will serve as the featured artwork on next year’s Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp!”

About the artist

Alice Alice is a 9th grader working at Lin Lin Art Studio in Glastonbury. From a young age, she showed an innate interest and talent for art. From watercolor to acrylic, pencil to charcoal, Alice explored different styles and techniques under the guidance of her mentors. She then began entering various competitions and stumbled upon the CT Junior Federal Duck Stamp Contest, an opportunity to not only showcase her talent, but also advocate for nature conservation. Inspired by the organization’s mission, she spent a month working hard on her painting, hoping to be a part of this incredible project that aims to inspire others to appreciate the world around them. Alice is incredibly honored and grateful to have received this award and expresses her gratitude to the CT Waterfowl Association for giving her and many others this opportunity.

Learn more about the Junior Ducks Art Stamp Contest

From 2012 to 2020, DEEP held a national art competition to select the images for the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. However, starting with the 2021 Connecticut Duck Stamp, the artwork of the winner of the Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest is now featured. This change was made to feature the artwork of Connecticut artists on the annual stamps, while also encouraging conservation awareness among youth through the Junior Duck Stamp Program. Each student, from kindergarten through high school, who participates in the Junior Duck Stamp Competition receives a limited curriculum on wetland conservation, waterfowl, and nature in general. The program encourages students to explore their natural world, invites them to study biology and wildlife management principles, and challenges them to express and share what they learn with others.

The annual Young Duck Art Stamp Contest is coordinated and sponsored by the Connecticut Waterfowl Association in cooperation with the CT DEEP Wildlife Division. Judges reviewed stunning entries submitted by students in grades K-12 from a variety of public, private and magnet school classrooms, private art studios and individual family entries. Participants in each age group put in a great deal of time and effort to produce stunning works of art and conservation messages. Each entry must include a note about how the entrant feels about the species they are representing and about conservation in general. Entries were divided into four age groups ranging from kindergarten through high school. The winners in each age group were then judged against each other to determine the statewide grand prize winner. The contest is open to all students in grades K-12 who reside in Connecticut. To participate, students create and submit a drawing or painting of native waterfowl (ducks or geese). Participation is free.

Learn more about Connecticut’s Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program

The Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program has generated more than $1,700,000 for the enhancement of upland wetlands and associated habitats, and has also raised additional funds for Connecticut through matching grants from federal conservation initiatives. By combining Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp funds with these additional funds, more than $4 million has been available to carry out wildlife conservation projects. Through this program, Connecticut has received a 4:1 return on Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp funds. More than 3,845 acres of wetlands across the state have been restored or enhanced with Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp funds, primarily on state-owned wildlife management areas. Funds have also been used to purchase 75 acres of critical wildlife habitat and conduct habitat projects at more than 50 sites across the state. These efforts have benefited many of our state’s approximately 274 birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles that rely on clean, healthy wetlands. In 2021 alone, Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp funds were used, in part, to restore more than 110 acres of inland wetland habitat and an additional 100 acres of salt marsh habitat.

Federal funds from the hunter-funded Federal Assistance for Wildlife Restoration Program can also be used for wetland conservation.

Purchasing Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamps is open to everyone. Anyone interested in supporting wetland conservation and restoration in our state is encouraged to purchase a Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. Stamps can be purchased for $17 each wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold: from participating municipal clerks, participating retail agents, and through DEEP’s Outdoor Licensing System (https://portal.ct.gov/CTOutdoorLicenses). Stamps can be sent by mail upon request. A limited number of conservation edition prints, signed and particularly noted by the artists, are also available for purchase. All proceeds from the sale of these prints benefit the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. Information on purchasing the prints is available at: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/stamp/put-your-stamp-on-conservation#Prints. HAS To learn more about the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp and art contest, visit https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/stamp/contest-art-du-duck-junior-connecticut.

Do your part for conservation. Buy a Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp and help protect and restore habitats.

Image included: Winner of the 2024 Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest and featured artwork for the 2025 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp, painted by Alice Han, 14, of Storrs.

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