Aimee Ré
PED 115
Spring 2015
The Federal Duck Stamp

In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law one of the first and most successful conservation programs in our nation’s history, the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, also known as the “Duck Stamp Act”. The act requires that all waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older must purchase a duck stamp that certifies their hunting license. Since the start of this program, the federal duck stamp has generated more than $800 million dollars nationwide. Ninety-eight cents from each dollar collected has enabled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve more than 6.5 million acres of vital wetland and upland habitats throughout the United States. The land that is bought or leased through this program makes up the core of our National Wildlife Refuge system. The National Wildlife Refuge System is made up acreage that benefits waterfowl, non-game birds, and other wildlife, including dozens of threatened and endangered species. The protection of these habitats also help purify water supplies, store flood water, reduce soil erosion and sedimentation and provide spawning areas for fish important to sport and commercial fisherman. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service launched another successful program in 1991, The Junior Duck Stamp Program. The aim of this program is to increase young people’s awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats and the delights of wildlife. In 1992 the first ever Junior Duck Stamp was printed. The funds of these stamps are used to provide awards, incentives, and scholarships to participating students, teachers, and schools. The sale of the stamps are not just restricted to hunters, many bird watchers, outdoor recreationists, collectors, and people interested in wildlife conservation buy the stamps as well. The duck stamp can be used as an annual season pass to national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee. The cost of the Federal Duck Stamp is 15$ and the Junior Duck Stamp is 5$ and can be bought at many post offices located across the country. They are also available at many national wildlife refuges and online as well as many sporting goods and outdoor stores. A noted conservationist and cartoonist by the name of Jay N. “Ding” Darling created the first design for the Federal Duck Stamp in 1934. He also conceived the very idea to raise money for the purchase of wetlands through “duck stamps.” Since 1949, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sponsors an art contest that is open to all U.S. citizens 18 years of age or older to design the following year’s duck stamp. It is the only art contest that is federally legislated in the United States. Many interested artists enter the contest every year. The artists will be able to