Conserving the Nature of America
2016-2017 Federal Junior Duck Stamp winning art. Credit: USFWS
2016-2017 Federal Junior Duck Stamp winning art. Credit: USFWS

California Youth Wins National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest

April 22, 2016
Stacy Shen, 16, of Fremont, Calif., took top honors today at the National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest for her colored-pencil rendition of a pair of snow geese. The image will appear on the 2016-2017 Junior Duck Stamp, which sells for $5 and raises money for conservation education. The entry, which won the California State Junior Duck Stamp Contest, was selected from among 27,192 best-of-show entries from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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A changing climate could hurt ecologically important mangrove forests. Credit: Steve Hillebrand / USFWS
A changing climate could hurt ecologically important mangrove forests. Credit: Steve Hillebrand / USFWS

Sending a Strong Message on Climate Change for Earth Day

April 21, 2016
Earth Day has, for 46 years, been an event to call the world to action on major environmental issues and there is no greater issue today than our changing climate. On this Earth Day, Friday, the United States will become one of the first signatories to the Paris Agreement, a historic pact to address climate change and cut greenhouse gases.
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Wood ducks will benefit from wetland protection in Arkansas. Credit: USFWS
Wood ducks will benefit from wetland protection in Arkansas. Credit: USFWS

Nearly $49 Million in Grants Will Help Protect Waterfowl, Other Bird Species in United States, Canada and Mexico

April 20, 2016
Nearly $49 million in grants were approved today by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, which provides the Service and its partners the ability to purchase, lease or otherwise conserve more than 275,000 acres of wetland and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds and other birds across North America. The grants, made through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, will be matched by $86 million in partner funds. The commission also approved expenditures of $10.8 million from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to conserve 7,200 acres for six national wildlife refuges.
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