Jamaica, NY — On Friday, May 26, fans of the endangered shorebird piping plover got together to celebrate the newly released Postal Service stamp sheet commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.

The 20 stamps showcase photographs of endangered animals, one of which is the piping plover, a bird that can be found nesting on the beaches in the Rockaways in Queens.

These birds are federally protected under the Endangered Species and Migratory Birds Treaty Acts.

Hosted by the National Park Service and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, the event featured remarks by Park Ranger Flor Blum, NYC Plover Project Founder Chris Allieri, and U.S. Postal Service New York 2 District Manager Frank Calabrese.

“I am thrilled that a local Queens hero, the piping plover is showcased on this stamp sheet. We hope the Endangered Species stamps tell the story of hard work, humanity, and hope, while raising awareness about endangered animals and wildlife, and the efforts to protect them,” said Calabrese.

“I love stamps and I love wildlife, so when this stamp was announced last year, I could not wait,” said Park Ranger Blum.

“The piping plover is really special to me. We are so pleased to be doing this work with our federal and city partners. It is just the beginning, and this will really help the birds,” said Allieri.

In attendance were members of the NYC Plover Project, a non-profit which won the 2022 Hartzog award from National Park Service for national volunteer group of the year, local bird enthusiasts and National Park Service and Post Office leadership.

Background:

The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge includes over 12,600 acres of water, saltmarshes, freshwater and brackish water ponds, upland fields and woods, and open bay and islands.

It is one of the largest bird habitats in the northeastern United States and is a great place to observe the seasonal bird migration as well as resident species.

The piping plovers build their nests on the open sands of the ocean beaches at Jamaica Bay.

During the spring and summer, the park closes designated nesting beaches to all visitor use, including fishing, surfing, and beach bathing once nests begin to hatch and chicks are on the beach.

The Wildlife Refuge was created in the 1950s by NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Robert Moses.

This site became part of the National Park Service in 1972 when Gateway was established. 

Nearly 50 years ago, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law. Under the ESA, more than 1,670 U.S. and nearly 700 foreign species are safeguarded to increase their chances of survival. With the release of the new Endangered Species Forever stamps today, the Postal Service is celebrating not only the law, but also the people, organizations and agencies who have worked so hard to protect and save so much.

The 20 stamps showcase photographs of endangered animals found within the 50 states and American territories, as well as two North American species living near U.S. borders.

Scientists estimate that hundreds of species have been rescued from the brink of extinction in the United States since the ESA began. In a process headed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a species found to need protection is listed as either threatened or endangered, the latter defined as “in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.”

The photos were taken by National Geographic Explorer and photographer Joel Sartore as part of his National Geographic Photo Ark project, an effort to document every species living in the world’s zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries. Photo Ark also inspires action through education and helps protect wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts.

On Dec. 27, 1973, President Richard Nixon signed the ESA into law, following a unanimous Senate vote. In the 50 years since, other nations worldwide have emulated the pioneering American initiative. The ESA provides a framework for conserving and protecting endangered and threatened species and their habitats both domestically and abroad.

Many of the animals featured on these stamps were photographed in zoos. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is committed to being a global leader in promoting species conservation and animal wellbeing by leveraging the size, scope, expertise and public trust of its member facilities.

Derry Noyes, an art director for the Postal Service, designed the stamps using Sartore’s photographs.

The Endangered Species Forever stamps are issued in panes of 20.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, SHOP HERE.

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