This year, the City of Las Vegas was able to share in an annual ceremony that unveils the new Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp to collectors and waterfowl enthusiasts across the United States. The Federal Duck Stamp First Day of Sale Ceremony, traditionally held at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C., was also held June 22, 2007, at Bass Pro Shop, 8200 Dean Martin Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada. 

The ceremony, sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bass Pro Shops, U.S. Postal Service and Nevada Department of Wildlife, ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and offered for sale the 2007-2008 Federal Duck Stamp with a first day cancellation issued by the U.S. Postal Service.  Artwork from Nevada’s Junior Duck Stamp Contest was also on display.

The event included presentations from:  Ron Rupert, General Manager for Bass Pro Shop in Las Vegas; Craig Colton, Postmaster, Henderson, Nev.; Steve Thompson, Manager, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's California/Nevada Operations Office; Ken Mayer, Director for Nevada Department of Wildlife, and Judy Ray representing Governor Gibbons.  Staff representing Senator Ensign, Congressman Porter, Congresswoman Berkeley and Congressmen Heller were also at the event and presented certificates of appreciation to Bass Pro Shop for its support of the event. Staff representing Senator Reid presented certificates to the U.S. Postal Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service as well. 

Following the ceremony, Refuge Managers Amy Sprunger, Desert National Wildlife Refuge , Donna Withers, Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Christina Nalen, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Manager, provided information about duck stamps and the Fish and Wildlife Service to the public thoughout the morning.  Information displays about refuges in Nevada and Nevada’s Junior Duck Stamp art work was on display as were displays from the U.S. Postal Service, Bass Pro Shops and Ducks Unlimited.

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, commonly known as “Duck Stamps,” are pictorial stamps produced by the U.S. Postal Service for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They are not valid for postage and cost $15.00 each. Originally created in 1934 as the federal licenses required for hunting migratory waterfowl, Federal Duck Stamps have a much larger purpose today.

Federal Duck Stamps are a vital tool for wetland conservation. Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated by the sales of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Federal Duck Stamp Program has been called one of the most successful conservation programs ever initiated and is a highly effective way to conserve America’s natural resources.

In Nevada, 640,496 Duck Stamps have been purchased since 1934.  Close to 29,946 acres of the 39,926-acre Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, located in northeast Nevada were purchased with $208,437 of Duck Stamp funds.  Portions of the Desert, Pahranagat and Sheldon National Wildlife Refuges in Nevada have also benefited from the sale of these stamps.

Since 1934, when Congress established the Federal Duck Stamp, 120 million stamps have been sold raising more than $670 million. With these funds more than 5.2 million acres of wetland habitat have been purchased, not only to benefit waterfowl, but also other wetland-dependent fish, wildlife, and plant species.

Besides serving as a hunting license and a conservation tool, a current year’s Federal Duck Stamp also serves as an entrance pass for National Wildlife Refuges where admission is normally charged.  Duck Stamps and the products that bear duck stamp images are also popular collector items.

In 1989, the first Junior Duck Stamps were produced. Junior Duck Stamps are now the capstone of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Junior Duck Stamp environmental education program, teaching students across the nation “conservation through the arts.” Revenue generated by the sales of Junior Duck Stamps funds environmental education programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two territories (American Samoa and the Virgin Islands).