DENVER — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has selected Bismarck as the site for its 2022 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest and related events.

This year’s contest and associated events will be held at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum on Sept. 23-24 and will be hosted by the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV). Representing federal, state, nonprofit and private landowner conservation partners, the PPJV works to sustain bird populations in the Prairie Pothole Region through voluntary wetland and grassland protection, restoration and enhancement programs.

The Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest began in 1949 and is the only legislatively-mandated federal art competition in the nation. A diverse panel of authorities will judge the entries and select the work for the next duck stamp. The winning artwork will be featured on the Federal Duck Stamp that will go on sale starting July 1, 2023.

A variety of activities are being planned in and around Bismarck before and during the contest.

The contest location moves around the country each year to generate interest in wetlands and waterfowl, and to allow more people to see the exceptional wildlife artwork. To increase access to the public, the contest will also be live-streamed.

More information about the Duck Stamp Program, where to buy stamps and images of previous winning stamps is online at: https://www.fws.gov/service/buy-duck-stamp-or-e-stamp.