NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2010

Ohio Artist Wins State Wetlands Habitat Stamp Competition

Joel Rogers placed first in the competition with his red-breated merganser. (Click to enlarge)

COLUMBUS, OH - The artwork of a red-breasted merganser by Hudson resident Joel Rogers won first place in this year's Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp Design Competition, sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Joel Rogers’ painting will appear on the Ohio wetlands habitat stamp issued in the fall of 2011.

The winning entry was selected from a field of 23 original paintings submitted by artists from 12 states, including 11 entries from Ohio. The competition was held on February 20 at the Ohio Ducks Unlimited annual banquet in Sandusky.

"I've always thought that the red-breasted merganser was an unusual type of waterfowl and interesting to observe." said Rogers.

Mike Brown of Georgia took second place in this year's state competition for his rendering of an American widgeon; third place went to Douglas Walpus of Tennessee for his entry of hooded mergansers. Four other Ohio artists placed in the top 10 in this year's competition.

Last year's winner, North Dakota resident Jeffery Hoff, will see his painting of ruddy ducks appear on the 2010 wetlands habitat stamp.

Approximately 25,000 Ohio wetland habitat stamps were purchased last year, according to the Division of Wildlife. Proceeds from stamp sales help fund vital wetland habitat restoration projects in Ohio. Such habitats are important to many resident wildlife species including state-endangered trumpeter swans, wetland birds, amphibians and numerous migratory species.

The judges proudly display Rogers' winning print.

The judges for this year's event included Mona Rutger of Back to the Wild Wildlife Rehabilitation Center; Robert Sweeney, wetlands conservationist; Dawn Zink of Zink Calls; Jeff Basting, illustrator with the Toledo Blade, and Larry Mixon, Ohio Wildlife Council member.

These hooded mergansers by Douglas Walpus took third place honors.

 

Mike Brown's American widgeons placed second in the competition.

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(Editor’s Note: Click the thumbnails for high resolution images)