11/24/2019
2020 Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Reproductions Now Available
Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that prints of the 2020 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation (Duck) Stamp created by Frank Dolphens, Jr., is now available in limited quantity.
There is a limited number of signed Conservation Prints of Mr. Dolphens’ depiction of woods ducks. The prints sell for $200 each, and all proceeds from the purchase of these stunning prints, as well as all funds collected from the sale of Migratory Bird Conservation Stamps, go into the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. This fund is used for the enhancement of wetland and associated upland habitats in our state. Four remarqued prints by the artist are also available for $250 each. A nice happenstance for 2020 is that wood ducks also grace the current Federal Duck Stamp. Those interested in purchasing a print should contact DEEP Wildlife Division biologist Min Huang at min.huang@ct.gov or 860-418-5959.
Mr. Dolphens’ painting marks the end of the national art contest for the Connecticut Duck Stamp. Starting in 2021, the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp will feature the winning artwork from the Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Competition. This change is being made so that future stamps will feature artwork from Connecticut artists, while at the same time encourage conservation awareness in young people through the Junior Duck Stamp Program. Every student, from kindergarten through high school, who participates in the Junior Duck Stamp Competition is provided with a limited curriculum on wetland conservation, waterfowl, and nature in general. The program encourages students to explore their natural world, invites them to investigate biology and wildlife management principles, and challenges them to express and share what they have learned with others. As the use of technology has increased, a general connection with nature and the outdoors has decreased. It is anticipated that in some small part, this program can help connect young people with the natural world.
The Migratory Bird Conservation Fund is the sole source of money for many of the wetland projects in Connecticut. Other federal dollars, such as Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration funds, generated by hunters are also used for wetland conservation in Connecticut.
The sale of Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamps has generated more than $1.5 million since the launch of the program. More importantly, this money has been used to leverage other funds for habitat conservation, resulting in almost $4.5 million in actual conservation dollars on the ground. The Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp program is a great example of how the North American Conservation Model works. Users of the resource pay into funds whose monies are solely dedicated to conservation. In North America, hunters are the only users of our natural resources who pay for the conservation of the great outdoors.
More than 3,445 acres of wetlands in Connecticut, mostly on state-owned Wildlife Management Areas, have been restored or enhanced using Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp funds, and projects have been conducted at over 50 sites statewide. Seventy-five acres of critical wildlife habitat have been purchased using Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp monies. All of these efforts have benefitted many of the approximately 274 birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles of the state that rely upon clean, healthy wetlands.
Hunters are not the only ones who can purchase Migratory Bird Conservation Stamps and artistic prints. Anyone who cares about Connecticut’s wetland habitats and wetland-dependent wildlife can purchase these items and contribute to conservation in Connecticut. Own a piece of history and do your part for habitat protection and restoration. Migratory Bird Conservation Stamps can be purchased for $17 each through the Online Sportsmen Licensing System (www.ct.gov/deep/sportsmenlicensing) or at DEEP License and Revenue, 79 Elm Street, Hartford (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; 860-424-3105).
Image of the 2020 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp print painted by Frank Dolphens, Jr.
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Contact
Kristina Rozek
Director of Communications
860-424-3110
Kristina.Rozek@ct.gov