Duck Stamp Contest goes to the Midwest

From its beginning as an amendment to the Duck Stamp Act in 1958 and fueled by the sale of tens of thousands of Duck Stamps annually, the Small Wetlands Program is today one of this country’s most cost-effective conservation efforts, protecting nearly 3 million acres of prairie wetlands and grasslands to support migratory birds and resident wildlife. This includes the Prairie Pothole region, a 100,000 square mile area covering parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Montana.

Affectionately known as the “duck factory,” this area supplies the breeding grounds for 50 percent of our country’s waterfowl. It also supports many grassland-dependent birds, threatened and endangered species and species of state concern. Without the funds raised each year from Federal Duck Stamp sales to hunters, birders, conservationists, stamp collectors and wildlife art lovers, this factory would not be nearly as profitable or productive.

A place of amazingly beautiful scenery, abundant bird populations, and strong and cherished hunting traditions, it is no wonder the Prairie Pothole Region is home to so many Federal Duck Stamp artists. In fact, Minnesota has yielded more winning Federal Duck Stamp artists than any other state in the country.

For the first time in its history, the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest will be held in the Midwest. Run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the contest will take place on October 17 and 18 in Bloomington, Minnesota at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road. During the only federally sponsored art competition, a panel of five judges will select the art to grace the 2009-2010 Federal Duck Stamp. The two-day contest is free and open to the public.

Ninety-eight cents of every dollar generated by the sales of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase or lease wetland specifically targets vital breeding habitat within the National Wildlife Refuge System. When you buy a Duck Stamp, you are doing your part to help ensure a bright future for wildlife, waterfowl and other migratory birds. Service Director Dale Hall. “Buying a Duck Stamp is easy and yields a great return on your investment- helping to protect irreplaceable migratory bird habitat.”

In addition to producing most of our nation’s duck populations, Prairie Pothole lands acquired with Duck Stamp dollars are home to many other birds, including pelicans, herons, rails, gulls and wrens, to name a few. Obviously, the Duck Stamp Program, which was created by hunters in 1934 to preserve wetlands, benefits more than just ducks.

Those who enjoy the benefits of the National Wildlife Refuge System include birders, conservationists, outdoorsman, and clearly, wildlife that depend on wetlands. Moreover, with a growing body of evidence showing the health benefits to children of connecting with their natural world, buying Federal Duck Stamps is not only good for ducks, but for people too.

As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Small Wetlands Program and prepare to choose a new Federal Duck Stamp design, it is time to “put our stamp on conservation” by putting Federal Duck Stamps in our pockets.

The Bloomington Art Center is a nonprofit community art center whose mission is to stimulate creativity by making high quality arts programs accessible to people of all ages, skills and abilities.

Ashley Spratt/USFWS