Feathers for the Future

The Junior Duck Stamp Contest

The National Junior Duck Stamp Contest is the recent offspring of the Federal Duck Stamp Program, which was authorized by Congress in 1934. The Federal Duck Stamps are purchased annually by art enthusiasts, stamp collectors and conservationsts, as well as hunters, for $15 each. Ninety-eight cents of every dollar goes directly into the conservation fund to purchase wetlands.

The Junior Duck Stamp Design Contests provide conservation and wildlife education for young people. They are held in every state for children in grades kindergarten through twelfth. In New Mexico, the program is administered by Deb Davies from Bosque del Apache, with help from trained volunteers (more about that later). Entries in New Mexico jumped from 600 two years ago to 900 entries this past year- and 205 of those came from the Albuquerque area. The outreach program was able to make presentations to 49 schools in New Mexico- and 11 of those were in Albuquerque. One of the goals for the outreach program is to come up with more trained volunteers.

If you can imagine any way that you might be willing to jump in the pond and help these young conservationists, call now! We can use people to do many things:

Ú We need people who are willing to help staff public exhibits in the Albuquerque area.

Ú We need more outreach presenters to go into the classroom.

Ú We need sponsors or donations in order to make awards to our New Mexico winners.

Participating in the Junior Duck Stamp Program heightens students' awareness of the value of the environ-ment and wetlands. It is our hope that they will begin to care and become our future environmentalists. Help us reach more children in Albuquerque! There are thousands of them, and we have only been able to contact a few hundred.

Helping is creative, interesting and fun! For more information or to volunteer, call Deb Davies at Bosque del Apache, (505) 835-1828.

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Hummerfest 1998

Fifth Annual Hummingbird Festival "The Hummers, Friends of Rio Grande

Nature Center, Audubon, and You!" Saturday, August 8

at the Rio Grande Nature Center

Activities run from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is free. Be a volunteer with us at the pond room. Help folks ID humming and other birds, and treat yourself to a couple hours of fun! Contact Sei at 266-2480 for a one or two hour time slot. *