In January Lyla Schmidt, a 9-year-old from Nash, began a six week program at Graceful Arts Gallery in Alva. Her purpose was to produce an entry for the 2021 Oklahoma Junior Duck Stamp Program art contest. Working with local artist Jo Decker, Schmidt explored possible subjects for a duck stamp. A visit to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge gave her the opportunity to see various duck breeds in their habitat.

A visit to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge inspired Lila Schmit to draw a pair of Greater Scaup for her entry in the Oklahoma Junior Duck Stamp Program. Bottom: Lila Schmidt's slogan has been selected to move on to the National Junior Duck Stamp competition.

Schmidt chose her pencil drawing of a pair of Greater Scaup in flight as her entry. The drawing is colored with oil pastels. She also submitted a wildlife slogan on a poster.

At the end of March, Schmidt learned she was a winner. She placed first in her age group and third overall in the state art contest. Her conservation message, "Each action to protect and conserve wildlife habitats are individual investments in tomorrow" was selected to move on to the National Junior Duck Stamp competition where it will compete with conservation messages from across the United States and its Territories.

Among her prizes, Schmidt received a set of Vortex binoculars, a Sibley field guide and a Wildlife Refuge System Blue Goose Passport.

If you know of a kindergarten through 12th grade student who would be interested in participating in the 2022 competition, visit https://www.fws.gov/birds/education/junior-duck-stamp-conseervation-program.php.