The following is a news release received from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection:

To promote wetlands conservation, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is initiating a contest where artists can enter an original piece of artwork that depicts a waterfowl species (duck, goose or brant) that occurs in Connecticut. The winning entry will be featured on the 2013 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp.

Contest Details

The contest is open to all artists (including Junior Duck Stamp artists), regardless of residence, age or experience. Artwork may be in any full-color medium, including acrylic, oil, colored pencil and watercolor. Images that include a Connecticut scene or landmark are preferred. Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, general rendering, and suitability for reproduction.

Entries must be received in person or postmarked on or before March 15, 2012, to be eligible. Entries should be mailed to:

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Attn: Migratory Game Bird Program

391 Route 32

North Franklin, CT 06254

Full contest rules are available on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/ctduckstamp or by calling the DEEP Wildlife Division’s Franklin office at 860-642-7239.

“The Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program is a great example of how conservation works — concerned citizens paying into a program that was formed to protect and enhance vital habitat,” said DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Frechette.  “By state law, funds generated from the sale of duck stamps can only be used for the development, management, preservation, conservation, acquisition, purchase and maintenance of waterfowl habitat and wetlands, as well as the purchase and acquisition of recreational rights or interests relating to migratory birds.”

History of the Duck Stamp Program

The Duck Stamp Program was initiated in the early 1990s when concerned sportsmen worked with DEEP to develop legislation that would generate revenue for wetlands conservation. Modeled after the federal Duck Stamp Program, the Connecticut program requires the purchase of a state Duck Stamp, along with a hunting license, to legally hunt waterfowl in the state.

The first Connecticut duck stamp debuted in 1993 with a fee of $5. From 1993 to 2002, the sale of duck stamps and prints generated more than $1.2 million in revenue. Print sales gradually declined over time and the print program was discontinued with the 2002 duck stamp. Hunters and conservationists have consistently expressed strong support for the Duck Stamp Program and associated conservation projects. The sale of stamps alone currently generates approximately $50,000 per year.

With the return of full-color artistic Duck Stamps in 2013, art enthusiasts, stamp collectors, and conservationists are encouraged to purchase as many stamps as they wish to provide funds for wetlands conservation projects. Full-color prints may also be available at the discretion of the winning artist.

“The Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp is more than just a ‘duck’ stamp because the conservation work it funds provides habitat for a multitude of other wildlife species like herons, egrets, fish, and amphibians, along with several species of greatest conservation need that are identified in Connecticut’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy,” Frechette said.

Benefits of the Duck Stamp Program

• Funds generated through the Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program have been responsible for restoring and enhancing over 3,145 acres of critical wetlands. Projects have encompassed nearly 50 sites, mostly on state-owned wildlife management areas.
• Specialized large equipment was purchased to conduct extensive marsh restoration work, particularly along the coast.
• Connecticut was the first state in the nation to establish a unit dedicated to wetlands restoration. The DEEP’s Wetland Restoration Unit receives no state funds and operates solely off of outside monies and Connecticut Duck Stamp funds.
• A 75-acre addition to the Wangunk Meadows Wildlife Management Area in Portland was purchased.
• Duck-stamp funds have generated additional monies for Connecticut through matching grants from federal conservation initiatives. By combining Duck Stamp funds with these additional monies, over $4 million have been available to complete wildlife conservation projects. Thus, Connecticut has received a 4:1 return on Duck Stamp monies.