MAKING WAVES
Celebrating Southwest Floridians
Anational wildlife program came full circle. The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel hosted the Federal Junior Duck Stamp judging in April. Stacy Shen, 16, was picked first for her pencil drawing of snow geese. Back-dropping the national art contest was that it was held at the “Ding,” which is home to both the Federal Duck Stamp Program and the junior contest. Both must portray waterfowl in a natural setting. Judging coincided with Earth Day. Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling began the Federal Duck Stamp Program in 1934 as head of the U.S. Biological Survey. Stamp proceeds are used to purchase refuge lands such as the “Ding” on Sanibel. Darling also designed the first federal duck stamp. Former Sanibel School art instructor Jaye Boswell started the junior program in 1989. The first national Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was in 1993. Thousands of children enter the contest. Boswell accepted an award for her work at the judging event.