The 2014 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest will be held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown on Sept. 19 and 20.

The winning design chosen during the contest will be made into the 2015-2016 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or “Duck Stamp,” the cornerstone of one of the world’s most successful conservation programs.

“Having this prestigious contest at the National Conservation Training Center provides a unique opportunity to build on the long history of wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation in our country,” said Jay Slack, director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s training center. “The 2014 Federal Duck Stamp Contest is one of the Service’s most prestigious events, and marks the second time the contest will be held in the state of West Virginia. The event will bring to Shepherdstown just under 200 pieces of waterfowl art from artists around the country.”

The $15 Federal Duck Stamp is a vital tool for wetland conservation, with 98 cents of every dollar generated going to purchase or lease wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since the stamp’s inception, sales have helped to acquire nearly six million acres of wildlife habitat at hundreds of refuges in nearly every state.

The Federal Duck Stamp art contest is the only art competition of its kind sponsored by the federal government. Since the first open contest was held in 1949, thousands of wildlife artists from throughout the nation have submitted art to the annual contest. While the winner receives no money from the federal government, the winning artist may benefit from the increased visibility and sale of prints and artwork.

Every waterfowl hunter age 16 or older is required to buy a Federal Duck Stamp. In addition, the stamps are highly sought after by collectors, conservationists and wildlife art aficionados. A current Federal Duck Stamp also provides free admission into any refuge open to the public. There are 553 National Wildlife Refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories, offering unparalleled wildlife oriented recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography.

The public is welcome to attend the Federal Duck Stamp Contest at NCTC on both Friday and Saturday. Doors open at 9 a.m. and judging will begin at 10 a.m. each day and will conclude by noontime. The contest winner will be announced on Saturday at around 12:30 p.m.

For information about the Federal Duck Stamp Program and about the 2011 Federal Duck Stamp Contest, go to: www.fws.gov/duckstamps. You can also check out the Federal Duck Stamp on Facebook: by going to www.facebook.com and searching “Federal Duck Stamp.”