For the first time in its 68 year history, the 2002-2003 Federal Duck Stamp will be printed outside the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. In an agreement with the U.S. Postal Service, the stamp printing was opened to private contractors to reduce the costs of the printing process and as a result, provide more money to buy wetlands for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Banknote Corporation of America was the successful bidder. The stamps will continue to be printed in offset intaglio.
Federal Duck Stamps are a required purchase for waterfowl hunters ages 16 and older. However, stamp collectors, art lovers and conservationists also purchase them to add to their albums or enjoy as miniature works of art, or simply as a way to contribute to waterfowl conservation. Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from each $15 Duck Stamp goes toward purchasing wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
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 94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 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.
- FWS -
For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov
