Hundreds
of stamp collectors and outdoor enthusiasts lined
up to have their newly purchased duck stamps and stamp products
signed by Duck Stamp artist Joe Hautman and Junior Duck Stamp
artist Seokkyun Hong. The first 75th Anniversary Federal
Duck Stamp was sold to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director
H. Dale Hall during a special ceremony hosted today by Bass
Pro Shops Outdoor World, near Baltimore, Maryland. "It's
an honor to be the first in line to buy this stamp and help
contribute to this unique wetlands conservation program," said
Hall. "I'm proud to carry on the tradition started by
Ding more than 75 years ago. Now more than ever, our nation
depends on healthy wetlands and clean water for conserving
waterfowl populations and ensuring healthy and safe communities.
Purchasing this little stamp reaps huge dividends for our
nation."
Duck
Stamps can be purchased at hundreds of post offices
across the country, as well as major sporting goods stores
that sell hunting and fishing licenses. For information on
other Federal Duck Stamp products and buying options, please
visit Buy
Stamps.
The
2008-2009 Federal Junior Duck Stamp also went on
sale at the event. Eighteen-year-old Seokkyun Hong of Dallas,
Texas, was the winning artist, and his depiction of a pair
of Nene
(Hawaiian goose) is featured on the stamp. The design
for the new stamp was chosen by a panel of judges at the
Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest, held at the San
Diego Zoo last spring. Proceeds from Junior Duck Stamp sales
are used to support
environmental education efforts and awards for contest
winners.
Ninety-eight
percent of the proceeds
from the $15 Duck Stamp go to the Migratory Bird Conservation
Fund, which supports the acquisition of wetland and associated
upland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. To
date, Duck Stamp funds have been used to purchase habitat
at hundreds of refuges located in nearly every state in the
nation. These refuges offer unparalleled recreational opportunities,
including hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography. |