COLUMBUS, OH – The artwork of a pair of common goldeneye by Hudson native 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. Rogers’ painting will appear on the Ohio wetlands stamp issued in fall of 2009.

The winning entry was selected from a field of 30 original paintings submitted by artists from 18 states, including 10 entries from Ohio. The competition was held Saturday, March 1, at the annual Ducks Unlimited convention in Columbus.

“A neighbor who is a duck hunter talked me into entering the Ohio competition years ago,” said Rogers, who has entered the state competition several times, but has never won. Rogers added that he doesn’t enter many competitions, and that the win will inspire him to enter the federal duck stamp competition.

Jeffrey Hoff of Jamestown, North Dakota took second place honors in this year’s state competition for his rendering of ruddy ducks; third place went to Dick Benson of Washington Court House for his portrait of two common goldeneyes in flight. Three Ohio artists placed in the top 10 in this year’s competition.

Last year’s Ohio wetlands stamp winner, Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Indiana will see his painting of a pair of green-winged teals appear on the 2008 wetlands habitat stamp.

Approximately 25,000 Ohio wetland 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 for this year’s event included David Brunkkhorst, who has more than 30 years of work with Ducks Unlimited; Steve Pollick, outdoor editor of the Toledo Blade; Robert Gates, associate professor of wildlife ecology, The Ohio State University; Mike Moore; editor of the Ohio Outdoor News; and Harold Roe, a four-time winner of the Ohio stamp competition and Ducks Unlimited international artist of the year. Colonel Al Faber, chief of the joint staff for the Ohio National Guard and an avid duck hunter, served as an alternate judge.