[Columbia, SC] - The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is giving Riverbanks Zoo and Garden original artwork that showcases past winners of the Junior Duck Stamp art contest held annually by the U.S. Department of Wish and Wildlife Service.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to display these incredible works for all to see. Each of the young artists has a bright future in wildlife illustration" said Chris Gentile, the Zoo's director of conservation education. "These pieces will serve as an inspiration to the students who participate in our programming throughout the year."

Each year, students from across the country create award-winning renderings of waterfowl in their wetlands habitats in the hopes that their submissions will win at the state level and go on to compete in the national competition where one winner gets the chance to see their work turned into the annual Jr. Duck Stamp. The stamp is then sold as a collectors stamp for $5.00 through the US Post Office and other locations.

Last year's South Carolina winner Anastasia Timina from Charleston County School for the Arts won an honorable mention at the national level for her rendering of a wood duck. This year, her entry of a ring-necked duck is also being recognized and will be judged alongside the 49 other state winners in June. All this year's entries are currently available to view at www.jrduckstamp.com.

Because the contest uses scientific and wildlife observation principles to emphasize the importance of conserving America's wetlands, DNR felt like it was important for South Carolina's past winners' art to find a permanent home at an institution that subscribed to the same conservation principles.

Riverbanks will host a showing of many of the top illustrations from this year's contest on Saturday, May 13 in Ndoki Lodge. At 3:00pm the donation of framed artwork will be formally presented by DNR to Riverbanks. Afterwards, the pieces will hang in Riverbanks' Education Center.