SACRAMENTO-The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the David Brower Center in Berkeley, California, will be the site of the 2010 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest October 15-16, 2010. This is the first time in the prestigious contest’s 61 year history that the event has been held in the West.
“Having this prestigious contest in the heart of the urban Bay Area provides a unique opportunity to introduce new, non-traditional audiences to the importance of wetlands and wildlife conservation,” said Ren Lohoefener, Regional Director of the Service’s Pacific Southwest Region. “Never has it been more important to conserve and restore wetland habitat, especially as we search for methods to minimize the effects of climate change, for waterfowl and the multitude of other species that depend on wetlands,”
The Federal Duck Stamp art contest is sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is the only art competition of its kind sponsored by the federal government. Since the first open contest in 1949, thousands of wildlife artists from throughout the nation have submitted art to the annual contest. Last year’s contest, held in Maryland, featured entries from 224 artists.
A panel of noted art, waterfowl, and philatelic authorities is appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to judge each competition. Contest judging takes place over two days and is open to the public. Winners receive no compensation for their work, other than a pane of stamps carrying their design. Winning artists may sell prints of their designs, which are sought after by hunters, conservationists, and art collectors. The winning entry is used for the Federal Duck Stamp, also known as the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp.
All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry a current Federal Duck Stamp. In addition to hunters, conservationists, recreational birders, stamp collectors and others also purchase the $15 stamp in support of habitat conservation for a wide diversity of species. Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from stamp sales go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund which supports the purchase of wetlands for inclusion into the National Wildlife Refuge System. About 1.8 million stamps are sold each year nationwide. Twenty refuges in the Pacific Southwest Region have directly benefitted from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps.
“The contest will coincide with the arrival of millions of ducks and geese that spend the winter in California’s Central Valley,” said Dr. Rudy Rosen, Director of Ducks Unlimited’s Western Office. “With more than 95 percent of the Valley’s wetlands destroyed, providing a place for these birds is among the biggest challenges facing hunters and other waterfowl enthusiasts today. Progress has been made only by restoring and protecting wetlands, in part, through work paid for by sale of Duck Stamps.”
Information about this year’s contest is available at: www.fws.gov/cno/duckstamp.html
For information about the Federal Duck Stamp Program, go to: www.fws.gov/duckstamps/
Duck stamps can also be purchased online at: www.duckstamp.com/mm5
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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Contact: Scott Flaherty, USFWS 916-978-6156
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
