• Artists are invited to enter an original piece of artwork that depicts an eligible waterfowl species (duck, goose, or brant) that occurs in Connecticut. Images that include a Connecticut scene or landmark in the background are preferred. The winning entry will be featured on the 2020 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. (Full Contest Rules - PDF; Certificate of Entry - PDF)
• Artwork may be in any full-color medium, including acrylic, oil, colored pencil, and watercolor.
• The contest is open to all artists, regardless of residence, age, or experience.
• Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, general rendering, and suitability for reproduction. (Final Judging Criteria - PDF)
• Entries for the CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Contest must be received in person or postmarked on or before April 15, 2019, to be eligible. (See Contest Rules for more information.)

Changes Planned for the 2021 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp: This will be the final year for the current format of the artistic competition. Starting in 2021, the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp will feature the winning artwork from the Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Competition. This change is being made so that future stamps will feature artwork from Connecticut artists, while at the same time conservation awareness will be encouraged in young people through the Junior Duck Stamp Program. Every student, from kindergarten through high school, who participates in the Junior Duck Stamp Competition is provided with a limited curriculum on wetland conservation, waterfowl, and nature in general. The program encourages students to explore their natural world, invites them to investigate biology and wildlife management principles, and challenges them to express and share what they have learned with others. As the use of technology has increased, a general connection with nature and the outdoors has decreased. It is anticipated that in some small part, this program can help connect young people with the natural world.

List of Eligible Connecticut Waterfowl Species

The DEEP Wildlife Division encourages local artists to submit paintings for the 2020 Duck Stamp.