June 27 marked the first day of sale for the 2014-2015 Federal Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp, also known as the "Duck Stamp" and Junior Duck Stamps. What started out as a simple hunting license has turned into one of the most efficient and successful conservation tools that is recognized all around the country.
The Stamp that isn't actually a Stamp
The Duck Stamp isn't actually a stamp at all! Although it is produced by the U.S. Postal Service, it is not valid to use as postage. The Duck Stamp is actually a federal license required for hunting migratory waterfowl that also provides free entrance into any national wildlife refuge.
A whopping 98 cents out of every dollar generated by the sale of the Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase or lease wetland habitat in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It has been called one of the most successful conservation programs ever initiated.
Duck Stamp Benefitting Wildlife
Since it's introduction in 1934, Duck Stamp sales have generated more than $800 million which has been used to purchase or lease over 6 million acres of wetland habitat in the United States.
Waterfowl receive enormous benefits from the stamp, but they are not alone. Countless other bird, mammal, fish, reptile, and amphibian species that rely on wetlands have also prospered due to the acreage obtained. In addition, an estimated one third of the nation's endangered and threatened species find food or shelter in refuges established using Federal Duck Stamp dollars.
Duck Stamp Benefitting People
Although the protection of waterfowl is the main purpose of the Duck Stamp, people benefit from it as well. Duck Stamp funds provide a place for people to enjoy pastimes beyond just hunting such as hiking, bird watching, and photography. In addition, the protected wetlands provide ecological benefits such as water purification, storage of flood water, reduction of soil erosion and sedimentation, and spawning areas for fish that play a vital role in sport and commercial fishing.
The Art Behind the Stamp
J.N. "Ding" Darling designed the very first federal Duck Stamp in 1934. Beginning in 1949, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has sponsored a stamp-design contest featuring wildlife artists from across the country- the only juried art competition sponsored by the federal government. The winning art is then used on the following year's stamp.
The 2014-2015 winning art was done by Adam Grimm, of Burbank, South Dakota. His oil painting of a pair of Canvasbacks was judged as the best of 201 entries. Each year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service chooses five species for artists to choose from that may be painted. The species in 2013 were: blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, and Canvasback. The 2014 species are: Brant, Canada Goose, Northern Shoveler, Red-breasted Merganser, and Ruddy Duck. The deadline to submit artwork is August 15, 2014.
Junior Duck Stamp
The first Junior Duck Stamps were produced in 1989. They are now the capstone of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Junior Duck Stamp environmental education program, which teaches students across the nation about "conservation through the arts". Sales of the Junior Duck Stamps go towards environmental education programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several territories.
How Can I Purchase a Federal Duck Stamp or Junior Duck Stamp?
The Federal Duck Stamp, sold for $15, and the Junior Duck Stamp, sold for $5, can both be purchased at many post offices around the country. The stamps can also be purchased online, and at many national wildlife refuges, sporting goods stores, and outdoors stores. And although the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Duck Stamp Office does not sell Duck Stamp products, they do allow licensed vendors to make and sell products bearing the images of Federal and Junior Duck Stamps. Click here to see the list of current vendors. http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/Products/products.htm
Clearly the Federal and Junior Duck Stamps are an extremely effective conservation tool and provide many benefits to wildlife and the American public. Click below for more information:
Click here to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp from the US Postal Service. https://store.usps.com/store/browse/subcategory.jsp?categoryId=duck-stamps
