Union City, Tenn. — Discovery Park of America hosted the winners of the Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest in a special ceremony on Saturday, April 26, 2025. More than 250 attendees from across the state enjoyed an awards ceremony and a dinner provided by Discovery Park.
The Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest is part of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program, which combines art and science to teach students about wetland and waterfowl conservation. The program encourages students from kindergarten through high school to create artwork depicting North American waterfowl species while learning about their habitats and conservation efforts.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Discovery Park of America in promoting the importance of waterfowl conservation through the arts,” said Tara Dowdy, refuge ranger with the West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Tennessee State coordinator for the Junior Duck Stamp Program. “Discovery Park provides a perfect venue to celebrate the talented young artists and to help raise awareness about the need to preserve wetland habitats.”
The winning artwork, including the 2025 “Best of Show” piece by Glory Malone, 16, of Dover, Tennessee, will be on display at Discovery Park’s Art Hall until July 6. Additionally, the artwork will also be showcased on a digital kiosk in The William A. (Bill) Homra and Allen Homra Lodge for the remainder of 2025.
The Junior Duck Stamp Program, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, involves students from across the nation who study waterfowl and their environments, then create artwork based on North American waterfowl species. The “Best of Show” from each state competition is submitted to the National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest, where a panel of judges selects the national winner and awards scholarships to the top three artists. The national contest also honors the student with the strongest conservation message.
Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps fund environmental education programs in Tennessee and nationwide.
The Junior Duck Stamp Program is inspired by the Federal Duck Stamp Program. Waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older are required to purchase and carry a duck stamp, which also grants free admission to national wildlife refuges.
For more information about the Junior Duck Stamp Program or to access resources for educators and parents, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website. For more photos from the 2025 ceremony, visit Discovery Park’s Flickr album.
Photo Caption: (From left) Jennifer Wildes, Discovery Park senior director of collections and exhibits; Glory Malone, Best of Show winner in the 2025 Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Competition; Tara Dowdy, refuge ranger with the West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Program coordinator.