Federal Duck Stamp has raised more than $1.2 billion for habitat conservation
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Ducks Unlimited (DU), and Bass Pro Shops hosted a live event on Friday, June 23 to celebrate the first day of sale for the 2023-24 Federal Duck Stamp. .
The stamps, which cost $25 and raise about $40 million for conservation annually, are valid from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
Purchased by millions of waterfowl hunters, wildlife enthusiasts and stamp collectors each year, duck stamps provide critical funding to purchase and protect wetlands and associated habitat for ducks, geese and other wildlife.
“There is arguably no better return on investment for conservation than the Duck Stamp, and hunters are the biggest reason,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam. “But whether you’re an avid waterfowl fan, a frequent visitor to America’s National Wildlife Refuges, a collector, or just someone who appreciates our natural places, everyone has a compelling reason to buy a stamp. With more than a billion dollars raised for conservation since 1934, the impact of stamp sales goes far beyond waterfowl habitat—it benefits countless other wildlife, the environment, and our communities. We encourage everyone to purchase a Duck Stamp and help us preserve our valuable wetland resources.”
The 2023-2024 Federal Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp, commonly known as the Duck Stamp, features artist Joseph Hautman’s winning acrylic painting of a trio of tundra swans soaring over a wetland. The Plymouth, Minnesota artist won the stamp contest for a record-tying sixth time.
The 2023-2024 Junior Duck Stamp features a hooded merganser image created by Linyue “Mila” Tong. More than 3,000 juvenile duck stamps are sold annually for $5 each to help promote conservation education through art.
Officials from Hautman, Tong, Putnam and USFWS gathered at the DU Waterfowling Heritage Center inside the Bass Pros Shops at the Memphis Pyramid to celebrate the first day of the sale.
“I am truly honored to be the first person this year to purchase both a federal and a youth stamp. This is one of the easiest ways to join a conservation movement, and I encourage others to join me,” said Jerome Ford, deputy director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Migratory Bird Program. very proud to support this program and contribute to the conservation of wetlands throughout the country”.
Since the Federal Duck Stamp was created in 1934, sales have raised more than $1.2 billion to conserve more than 6 million acres of bird and wildlife habitat and provide hunting and other recreational opportunities at national wildlife refuges.
By purchasing Federal Duck Stamps and supporting Ducks Unlimited, waterfowl hunters and other conservationists help ensure that farmers and ranchers can protect threatened wetlands and grasslands on working lands essential to maintaining healthy waterfowl populations.
Ducks Unlimited has conserved, protected and restored 16 million acres, or more than 25,000 square miles, of habitat in North America. This impressive number could not have been achieved without the tireless efforts of the millions of Ducks Unlimited supporters, volunteers, partners and staff members who have been a part of the organization for the past 86 years.
Waterfowl hunters 16 years and older must purchase and carry a duck stamp while hunting. A duck stamp also provides free admission to National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) open to the public. Duck stamps are sold nationwide at post offices, NWR, and sporting goods stores. You can also buy electronic versions of the duck stamp online. Click here for more information.
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world‘North America’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving vanishing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 16 million acres thanks to the contributions of more than one million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of enough wetlands to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever. For more information about our work, visit www.patos.org.