WELLS — The 23rd annual statewide competition for the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest is underway.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites students in grades K-12 to create designs featuring ducks, geese, or swans in their natural habitats.

Designs are judged in four age categories, with awards for first, second, and third places and honorable mentions. Entries must be received by March 15.

On March 25, there will be a celebration of the 2017 contestants at the LL Bean store in Freeport. Contestants are highly encouraged to come to this free event.

The Maine Best of Show entry will compete with contest winners from other states in a national competition in Washington D.C. The first place national winning design is used to create the Federal Junior Duck Stamp.

Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps (which cost $5 each) support conservation education by providing awards and scholarships for students, teachers, and schools.

Modeled after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual Federal Duck Stamp competition, the Junior Duck Stamp contest is part of an educational curriculum that teaches students about waterfowl, the importance of wetlands, and habitat conservation.

Proceeds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps protect wetlands through land acquisition by the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Contest rules and entry forms are available for download at fws.gov/juniorduck/.

For more information about the contest, call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge at 646-9226.