Of more than a thousand entries in The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest, Austin High School’s Braiden Nelson found himself in the mix.

The 18-year-old student was one of several to receive honorable mention in his age bracket for a duck painting that displayed original design, anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for reproduction on a stamp, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“This year’s contest had extraordinary waterfowl images from Minnesota’s talented young artists. Their art communicates the importance of wetlands for not only wildlife but for people to enjoy,” said Mara Koenig, Minnesota Coordinator of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program.

The best of show artwork was painted by Nick Buchal, 17, of Mahtomedi. Nick’s oil painting of a drake Northern Pintail duck will advance to the National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest to be held April 16, 2011, at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Pa. The first place art from the national contest is used to create a Federal Junior Duck Stamp each year. The Junior Duck Stamp is available for $5 from the U.S. Postal Service and from many National Wildlife Refuges. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps support conservation education and provide awards and scholarships for participating students, teachers and schools.

For more information on contest rules and regulations for teachers and supervising adults found visit http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck.