What:

California sea lions, a sand tiger shark and the Farallon Islands are just a few examples of the abundant wildlife and diverse ecosystems that can be found throughout the National Marine Sanctuary System. The U.S. Postal Service celebrates these important treasures in the upcoming Marine Sanctuaries Forever stamps.

Art director Greg Breeding designed the pane using existing photographs. A map of the National Marine Sanctuary System illustrated by Todd M. Detwiler is printed on the back of the pane.

The first-day-of-issue event for the Marine Sanctuaries Forever stamp is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #NationalMarineSanctuariesStamps.

Who:

William D. Zollars, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors

When:

Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET

Where:

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
35 Pacific Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

RSVP:

Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at: usps.com/nationalmarinesanctuaries.

Background:

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the nation’s underwater treasures with the release of the National Marine Sanctuaries stamps. For 50 years, U.S. national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments have protected areas with special ecological, cultural and historical significance.

The 16 new Forever stamps showcase the abundant wildlife and diverse ecosystems that can be found throughout the National Marine Sanctuary System.

The stamps include photographs taken by Daryl Duda, Michael Durham, Mark Sullivan, Peter Turcik, Norbert Wu, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees Wendy Cover, Jeff Harris, Elliott Hazen, Joseph Hoyt, Ed Lyman, Greg McFall, Matt McIntosh, G. P. Schmahl and Kate Thompson.

Preorders for the Marine Sanctuaries Forever stamps can be made online at usps.com/stamps beginning July 5.

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.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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