The new stamp, designed by Vermont artist Nancy Howe and featuring a pair of king eiders, will be unveiled at special first days of sale ceremonies to be held in Washington, DC, June 30 and East Dorset, Vermont, July 1. Howe, the first woman ever to win the Duck Stamp contest, will attend both ceremonies marking the stamps debut.
The 1991-1992 Federal Duck Stamp will sell for $15.00, a $2.50 increase over last year. Congress authorized the price increase as part of the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986 to provide more funds to acquire and protect disappearing habitats.
John Turner, director of the Interior Departments U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said, "The Duck Stamp program is one of this countrys most successful conservation efforts, but we still have a lot to do to secure the future of our waterfowl and other species. Thats why its so important for everyone who enjoys the outdoors and wildlife to purchase this splendid stamp."
Since the program began in 1934, over 350 million Duck Stamp dollars have helped preserve almost 4 million habitat acres.
Many of the more than 450 national wildlife refuges in the United States have been paid for entirely, or in part, through these Duck Stamp receipts.
During fiscal year 1990, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bought 89,996 acres of waterfowl habitat by obligating $30.3 million from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund (which includes revenues from Duck Stamp sales), and, to date, has obligated more than $18.5 million to acquire 45,398 acres in fiscal year 1991.
Hunters 16 years of age or older must carry a current, signed Federal Duck Stamp in order to hunt waterfowl. The stamp is also popular with nonhunters wanting to make a contribution to conservation. In addition, an increasing number of stamp collectors are recognizing the stamps beauty and value. It can be purchased at most U.S. Post Offices, some sporting goods outlets, as well as many national wildlife refuges across the country.
July 1 also signals the official opening of the 1991 Federal Duck Stamp contest. This years contest regulations have been revised slightly to clarify details regarding the administration of the contest, judging procedures, and the obligations of the winning artist. Copies of the updated regulations can be obtained from the Federal Duck Stamp Office. (see attached Fact Sheet for address)
Anyone interested in finding out more about Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contests can call their local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office, or the Duck Stamp Office in Washington D.C.; 202-208-2643.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
