United States Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chairman of the Environment & Public Works Committee, today introduced The Junior Duck Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2005 to reauthorize the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program. “The Junior Duck Stamp Program is designed to teach our children and grandchildren about bird migration and habitat ecology,” Senator Inhofe said. “The art contest that children compete in every year not only inspires creativity, it also fosters an interest in nature and conservation, critical to instilling lifelong values of personal environmental awareness and stewardship. I’m pleased to introduce the program’s reauthorizing legislation on the first day of sale for the 2005-2006 Junior Duck Stamp.” In 2004, Junior Duck Stamp sales raised over $172,000 for awards, environmental education activities throughout the United States, and Junior Duck Stamp promotional materials. The program is administered by state and regional coordinators from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, state resource agencies, and nonprofit conservation organizations. All contest participants receive a certificate of appreciation, and 100 students in each state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories are awarded prizes in state-level competitions. An estimated 27,000 students submitted art for the contest in 2005. Senate Inhofe also introduced legislation to extend authority under current law to direct interest accrued from the Pittman-Robertson Federal-Aid in Wildlife Restoration fund to be spent on projects under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). Interest earned under this account has been eligible for these types of projects since NAWCA was enacted in 1989. However, if not reauthorized, this authority would expire on September 30, 2005.