The new Federal Duck Stamp featuring a pair of mallards may have more significance than the stamps artist, Jim Hautman of Plymouth, Minnesota, originally envisioned. And while the first Duck Stamp ever created was called, "Mallards Dropping In," this years stamp could be aptly titled, "Mallards Heading Up."
"It is especially appropriate to laud the Federal Duck Stamp Program now, as early estimates indicate some of our duck numbers are reaching levels we havent seen in two decades," said Service Director Mollie Beattie. "And Duck Stamps have undoubtedly played a vital role in securing wetlands habitat for waterfowl and hundreds of other wildlife species.
The new Duck Stamp will go on sale for $15 at most U.S. post offices, national wildlife refuges, sporting goods stores, and various K-Mart and Wal-Mart stores starting July 1.
Artict Hautman won the 1994 Federal Duck Stamp Contest last November when his painting of a pair of mallards in flight was chosen over 584 other art entries. Hautman also won the 1989 contest and his brother, Joe, won in 1991. Another brother, Robert, has been a finalist for the last few years.
While waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp each year, more and more conservationists, stamp collectors, and wildlife art enthusiasts also are buying Duck Stamps. Of the $15 purchase, $14.70 goes directly into a fund used for wetlands acquisition for the National Wildlife Refuge System, the worlds most extensive and diverse collection of lands and waters dedicated to wildlife.
The June 30 ceremony will be held at 9:00 a.m. in the Interior Department auditorium, 1849 C Street, NW.,and hosted by Service Director Beattie; Postmaster of Washington, DC, David Clark; Director of the Smithsonian Institutions National Postal Museum Jim Bruns; and Paul Blackmer, association director of the U.S. Treasurys Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Hautman will attend the June 30 ceremony as well as the special honorary celebration July 1 at Mall of Americas Event Center in Bloomington. Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson will proclaim July 1 "Minnesota Federal Duck Stamp Day" to honor Hautman and recognize Minnesotas contributions to the Duck Stamp program and vise versa.
To highlight other wetlands conservation efforts at the First Day of Sale ceremonies, the Service also presents its National Wetlands Conservation Awards to honor individuals and organizations in the private sector for special efforts. The award will be presented at the June 30 event to Joe Carter of Charleston, South Carolina, a retired coastal resort developer, and to Wildlife Forever, a nonprofit conservation group, at the July 1 ceremony.
Carter will recieve the award for his efforts coordinating a partnership of public and private interests in conserving the diverse resources of South Carolinas Winyah Bay, while Wildlife Forever is being recognized for its vital role in many wetlands conservation efforts by providing matching grant funding for a broad array of projects.
In addition, judges from the 1994 Federal Duck Stamp Contes will be on hand at the June 30 event to judge the Federal Junior Duck Stamp "Best of Show" winning designs from the 50 states participating in that program this past school year. Three national winners will be selected, each of whom will win a free trip to Washington, DC, this November to be honored at the 1995 Federal Duck Stamp Contest.
The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is a unique conservation education curriculum modeled after the Federal Duck Stamp Contest, designed to teach youngsters about waterfowl and wetlands conservation.
For more information about Duck Stamps, the 1995 Federal Duck Stamp Contest, the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program, or the Duck Stamp Licensing Program, contact the Services Federal Duck Stamp Office at 202-208-4354, or write 1849 C Street, NW., Room 2058, Washington, DC 20240.
FWS
