Event Description
Join us Friday and Saturday, September 9–10, for two days of free general admission as we welcome the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest!
Sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the art contest offers some of the best wildlife artists across the nation the chance to compete to have their work featured on a conservation stamp. Happening for the first time ever in Pennsylvania, the contest is expected to display at least 300 artworks for the public.
Stop by the Academy to check out the artwork and participate in some special Duck Stamp Programming.
Friday ONLY: Opening Ceremony and First Round of Judging
10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Watch the judging of the artwork entries for the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest.
Saturday ONLY: Rounds 2 and 3 of the judging
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Winner Announced around 11:30 a.m.
Judging of the artwork entries continues for the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest.
Duck Stamp Entries on Display
View beautiful artworks in the commons Friday and Saturday. Close to 300 entries are expected, and the winning design for the next Duck Stamp, the cornerstone of one of the world's most successful habitat conservation programs, is expected to be announced by 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
Fantastic Fliers
11 a.m., 1, and 3 p.m.
The Academy is home to many species of birds in our Live Animal Center. Most of our animals are rehabilitated wildlife who now “work” for the Academy. Meet one of them and learn how we give these birds a second chance as “environmental educators”!
Birds of a Feather
Get to know our fine feathered friends, and learn all about bird adaptations, including flight, nesting, feeding, and bone structure. Practice eating like a duck, check out real bird mounts, and see the largest bird egg in the world!
Duck Stamp Craft
Did you know the Federal Duck Stamp Program helps fund our spectacular national wildlife refuges? Draw your own ducky design on a postcard that you can take home and send to someone special.
Special Exhibit: Duck, Duck, Goose: The Federal Duck Stamp Story
September 1–November 1, 2016
For nearly 70 years, the stunning artworks of the Federal Duck Stamp Contest have captivated collectors, artists, and families alike. As the contest comes to the Academy in September, Ornithology Collection Manager Nate Rice, PhD, shares his favorite stamps alongside their matching scientific and taxidermy specimens from the Academy’s collections in this intimate exhibit in the Academy’s Lobby. See incredible enlarged replicas of Rice’s prized stamps, plus real ducks, geese, swans, and more. Proceeds from the sale of the Federal Duck Stamp are used to conserve habitat for birds and other wildlife, and bird lovers like Rice purchase duck stamps to ensure that they can always see wildlife at their favorite outdoors spots. Free with museum admission.
After-Hours Film Screenings
"The Messenger"
Thursday, September 8, 6:30–8 p.m. (90 minutes) (Doors open at 6 p.m.)
This wide-ranging and contemplative documentary explores our deep-seated connection to birds and warns that the uncertain fate of songbirds might mirror our own. Moving from the northern reaches of the Boreal Forest to the base of Mount Ararat in Turkey and to the streets of New York, The Messenger brings us face-to-face with a remarkable variety of human-made perils that have devastated thrushes, warblers, orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks, and many other airborne music-makers.
"The Million Dollar Duck"
Friday, September 9, 4:30–5:30 p.m. (60 minutes)
The Million Dollar Duck is a documentary that focuses on the strange and wonderful world of the Federal Duck Stamp Contest, the only juried art competition run by the U.S. government. This film explores the eccentric nature of the contestants who enter each year for a chance at wildlife art stardom, while also reflecting upon the history and challenges facing the continued existence of this successful conservation program.
What is the Federal Duck Stamp?
This conservation stamp raises approximately $25 million a year to support wetland conservation. In fact, 98 cents of every dollar generated helps to purchase or lease wetland habitat for national wildlife refuges, including Philadelphia’s own John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. Every waterfowl hunter age 16 or older is required to purchase and carry a current Federal Duck Stamp. The stamps are also highly sought after by collectors, conservationists, and wildlife art connoisseurs. Duck stamps provide free admission to any national wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee. There is at least one national wildlife refuge in every state and many within driving distance of major urban areas. |
