ODFW release – SALEM, Ore. – The winning artwork was selected for the 2023 Waterfowl, Upland Game Bird, and Habitat Conservation art competitions. In the Waterfowl category, first place went to by Frank Dolphens of Omaha, Neb. Click here to view 2023 waterfowl artwork winner and runners up. For Upland Game Bird, first place went to by Marissa Gibson of Springfield, Ore. Habitat Conservation first place went to Chris Goins of Sheridan, Ark., depicting a Western Gray Squirrel. First place artists each receive a prize award of $2,000. Winning artwork will be the face of 2023 collector stamps and other promotional items that benefit Oregon’s native wildlife and their habitats. Rules for entering the 2024 contests will be announced next year. The People’s Choice Award for 2023 is also now open for online voting. Click here to access the voting form: https://odfw.wufoo.com/forms/2023-stamp-art-contest-a-peoples-choice/ Artwork was judged at ODFW headquarters by independent judges on November 4. A total of 21 entries were received depicting Mountain Quail for the upland game bird stamp contest; 13 entries depicting Greater Scaup for the waterfowl stamp contest; and 37 entries depicting select strategy species for the habitat conservation contest. The sale of Upland Game Bird and Waterfowl Stamps support game bird research, surveys, habitat improvement and conservation projects. The Habitat Conservation Stamp program provides a way for all Oregonians to give financial support for conserving our state’s most imperiled fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Collector’s stamps and limited-edition art prints are available for purchase at license sales agents or online. Also, available online from Duck Pond Cellars (https://duckpondcellars.com/collections/conservation-cuvee-wines) and in their tasting room, is their Conservation Cuvee featuring winning Habitat Conservation Stamp artwork. Duck Pond donates $5 from the sale of each bottle to ODFW’s Conservation Program which is used to restore habitats and benefit species of greatest conservation need in Oregon.
