Federal Duck Stamp – 50 Years of Wetland Protection

The 2009-2010 Federal Duck Stamp is now available from post offices, sporting goods stores and National Wildlife Refuges. Every year wildlife artists enter a contest, where the winning design becomes the following years Duck Stamp. This year it features artist Joshua Spies’ rendition of a winter plumaged male Long-tailed Duck floating next to a decoy.

Since 1934, sales of duck stamps have generated more than $700 million. This is the 50th year since the Small Wetlands Program began as an amendment to the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, which required the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to use funds from the sale of Duck Stamps to purchase wetlands and grasslands for breeding waterfowl. Today nearly 3 million acres has been permanently protected. For every dollar spent on a duck stamp, 98 cents goes directly to the purchase of habitat in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

It was originally created as a waterfowl hunting license, but now serves multiply purposes. I can not think of a better way to help support the wetland habitat that is so vital to birders and conservationists, by purchasing a Duck Stamp at a cost of $15. In return for your support you will gain free admission in National Wildlife Refuges. It is without a doubt one of the best deals going. Put your stamp on conservation and buy a Duck Stamp!