Everyone knows that purchase of duck stamps funds habitat for many, many non-game species. The stamp costs $15, and $14.70 of that goes to purchase or lease land for national wildlife refuges and waterfowl management areas (for the latter, think Marsh Wrens and Yellow-headed Blackbirds).
One way to increase sales is to offer the stamps at club meetings, annual events, festivals, etc. How do YOU sell stamps normally purchased from the government? It's easy. Here's how to make stamps available at any event where birders gather. Call the Amplex Corporation in Grand Prairie, Texas. Phone # 1-800-852-4897. If you provide information about your non-profit conservation organization, usually there is no upfront payment. The stamps come in packets of 25. Call this number to find out the simple details involved with selling stamps. Duck stamps aren't just for ducks. Every birder should have one. Jim Williams Wayzata AND here are some selling points to use at your meeting or festival: 1. 98% of revenue generated by stamp sales is used to purchase or obtain long-term easements for wetland and upland habitat through the world?s first, and still the best National Wildlife Refuge System. 2. The stamps are the most successful and cost-effective habitat conservation initiative ever created. It is the single best way to provide long-term protection to rapidly and continuously disappearing wildlife habitat. 3. Since 1934, revenue from stamp sales has totaled more than $700 million and has secured almost 7 million acres of habitat for all forms of wildlife, including birds. 4. A $15-stamp, purchased annually at a U.S. Post Office, refuge, or from a salesperson selling stamps in bulk, will serve as a ?pass? to all National Wildlife Refuges that charge for entry. Many federal wildlife refuges are in serious need of improvements, repairs, expansion, additional staff, etc. Buying an inexpensive stamp on an annual basis, and dong so for several people in one?s family is an easy and important way to support some of our nation?s prime wildlife heritage. 5. Waterfowl hunters are required to carry a valid stamp in order to hunt. To birders, hikers, photographers, boaters, plant enthusiasts and all other users of our wonderful National Wildlife Refuge System, this stamp is almost a total secret!! 6. In many ways the ever expanding numbers of refuge users who are not waterfowl hunters have been free-loaders while the steadily declining number of waterfowl hunters has done the heavy lifting in supporting habitat protection. This has to change!!!