Plymouth Artist Robert Hautman Recognized in July 19 Free Public Event; His Work Colors the New 1997 Federal Duck Stamp

Editor’s note: Please include the following information in the calendar sections of your publications and/or programming to let people know about this free public event at the Minneapolis Convention Center, July 19. If you would like further information on the Duck Stamp program, the winning artist or the schedule of events, please call Susan Dreiband at (612) 725-3519. Additionally, if you plan to send an individual or crew to cover the Hometown Event, please call and let us know so we can be of assistance on the day of the event.

The public is invited to the Minneapolis Convention Center to recognize 1997 Federal Duck Stamp Artist Robert Hautman. A Plymouth, Minnesota resident, Robert’s design of a Canada goose in wetland habitat was the top entry in the annual Federal Duck Stamp contest, and can be seen on the 1997 Federal Duck stamp, unveiled in Washington D.C. June 21, and available for purchase at the Hometown Event on July 19. The free celebration is open to the public, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and features stamp and outdoor exhibits and a ceremony recognizing Hautman for his accomplishments. Thanks to wildlife artists such as Hautman, 4.5 million acres of wildlife habitat have been conserved and enhanced, since 98 cents of every Federal Duck Stamp dollar go toward the acquisition of wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. More than $500 million have been raised since the Federal Duck Stamp program began. The Hometown Artist’s Event is being held in conjunction with the Minnesota Stamp Expo and is hosted by the Minnesota Waterfowl Association, Lake Minnetonka Stamp Club, U.S. Postal Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information, call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service External Affairs office at, (612) 725-3602.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov