Wednesday, May 13, 2015

2015 Canadian Wildlife Habitat Stamp Features Mourning Dove Painting

The painting of Salt Spring Island (BC) wildlife artist, W. Allan Hancock, titled "Blossoming – Mourning Doves," has been unveiled as the image of the 2015 Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp and Print.

The Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp and Print are produced each year through unique partnerships among Wildlife Habitat Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada, and Canadian wildlife artists.

Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) is proud to be celebrating its 31st anniversary of working to help conserve, restore and enhance the great variety of wildlife habitat across Canada. The revenues and royalties from the sale of the Conservation Stamp and Print fund WHC's habitat conservation grant program. Since 1985, more than $50 million has been invested to support over 1,500 conservation projects across Canada.

The Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp (the Stamp) is purchased primarily by waterfowl hunters to validate their migratory game bird hunting permits, which contributes directly to "on-the-ground" habitat conservation and stewardship efforts.

The Stamp is also purchased by stamp collectors, print purchasers and individuals interested in contributing to conservation of wildlife habitat in Canada.

Each year Wildlife Habitat Canada hosts an Art Competition where a painting, created by a Canadian wildlife artist, is selected to produce the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp, Print and other philatelic products. The 2015 Stamp is the 31st Stamp to appear in the series and is set to officially launch on April 11, 2015 at Rousseau Timbres & Monnaies à la Baie in Montreal, QC. The launch will feature the original painting "Blossoming – Mourning Doves" and will be attended by the artist himself, W. Allan Hancock (www.wallanhancock.com).

Allan's career as a wildlife artist began in 1989, and his artwork has contributed to numerous fund-raising projects for wildlife and habitat conservation projects. His winning artwork has also been featured on the 2005 (Harlequin ducks) and 2011 (American Wigeon) Conservation Stamps.

The Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp was created in 1985, and continues to be a visible reminder of the reason habitat conservation is important – to conserve Canadian wildlife. Without habitat, there is no wildlife ... it's that simple!

Wildlife Habitat Canada is a national non-profit conservation organization dedicated to working with landowners, governments, non-government organizations and industry to conserve, restore and enhance the great variety of wildlife habitat across Canada. To learn more about the Art Competition, or conservation grant program, please visit www.whc.org. 'Like' WHC on Facebook or follow @WildlifeHCanada on Twitter.