The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection relaunched its decade-long dormant duck stamp prints program to fund wetland conservation in the state.
The duck stamp program started in the 1990s to generate revenue for wetland conservation. In order to legally hunt waterfowl in Connecticut, hunters must obtain a hunting license and a $5 duck stamp.
From 1993-2002, the program generated $1.2 million in revenue through selling both the stamps and prints of the artwork depicted on the stamp. In 2002, the prints program was discontinued following years of declining sales.
The sale of stamps alone still generates $50,000 per year.
Starting in 2013, DEEP is bringing back the full-color print artwork, hoping to once again raise more revenue for wetland conservation.
DEEP is holding a competition for artists to depict a waterfowl species to be featured on the 2013 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp.
The contest is open to artists of all ages, residences and experiences. The artwork can be in any full-color medium and must feature a waterfowl species occurring in Connecticut. The deadline is March 15.
For information on the contest, visit www.ct.gov/deep/ctduckstamp.
