MEMPHIS, TN – One of the most successful conservation tools ever created to protect habitat for birds and other wildlife is the Federal Duck Stamp.
Since 1934, the colorful stamp has generated more than $800 million in proceeds which have been used to acquire and protect more than six million acres of wetlands within the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Fe deral Duck Stamps act as a federal hunting license for all forms of waterfowl in the United States and are required of all waterfowl hunters age 16 and over. They are not valid for postage. The $25 Duck Stamp is also a free pass into any National Wildlife Refuge that charges an entry fee.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife holds a contest each year to select the design that will be highlighted on the following year’s stamp. The 2015-2016 Duck Stamp was created by Olean, NY artist Jennifer Miller, who beat out 185 other entries with her winning entry featuring a pair of ruddy ducks.
Miller will be a featured guest at a First Day of Sale event at 10 a.m. Friday, June 26 at the new Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, One Bass Pro Drive, in Memphis.
“It’s extremely prestigious for the artist, a big name boost,” Miller told her hometown newspaper the Olean Times Herald last fall. “I never fathomed I would win. It’s very exciting.”
Waterfowl are not the only wildlife to benefit from Federal Duck Stamps. Numerous other birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians have also prospered because of habitat protection made possible by the program.
You can contribute to conservation by buying Federal Duck Stamps at many national wildlife refuges, U.S. Post Offices nationwide, at many sporting goods stores and other retail locations or online at http://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp/buy-duck-stamp.php. The Postal Service sells each year's stamp for three years.
To learn more about the Federal Duck Stamp Program, visit http://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp.php.
# # #
Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm. A complete list of the holiday shipping deadlines can be found at usps.com/holidaynews.For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf. Follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/usps), Instagram (instagram.com/uspostalservice), Pinterest (pinterest.com/uspsstamps), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/usps), subscribe to our channel on YouTube (youtube.com/usps), like us on Facebook (facebook.com/usps) and view our Postal Postsblog (uspsblog.com).
For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.
