Each year, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service selects a winning duck stamp for the following year from some 200 contestants. The winning duck stamp artist becomes somewhat of a celebrity, and J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island has the honor of hosting an appearance by the winner each year. Proceeds from the duck stamp program have purchased six million acres of wetlands as preserved habitat in its 90 years of existence.
Named for the man responsible for creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, the refuge, with support from the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS), schedules the artist’s appearance to coincide with Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling’s mid-October birthday.
This year, 2024-2025 Federal Duck Stamp Contest winner Chuck Black will make his appearance at “Ding” Darling on Thursday, Oct. 24, for a free 1 p.m. talk open to the public. A stamp-signing opportunity will follow his presentation.
The Montana artist worked as a wildlife biologist for seven years before devoting himself to his first love – wildlife art. His wins for the California and Colorado state duck stamp contests led to a decision to paint full-time.
“Chuck’s winning portrait of a northern pintail is stunning,” said DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman, a former art gallery owner. “We look forward to welcoming such a talented and promising artist to the refuge as part of a long tradition that honors our namesake, who designed the first duck stamp in 1934.”
For more information about the Federal Duck Stamp presentation on Oct. 24, contact Wildman at [email protected].
ABOUT DDWS
As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop profits. To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit dingdarlingsociety.org or Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991 or [email protected].
