04-07-2010, 11:11 AM
DENVER, Colo. --The Colorado Division of Wildlife is now accepting original artwork for the 2010 Colorado Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest. Wildlife artists from across the nation are invited to participate in this year's competition.
"We are really looking forward to this year's contest," said Brian Sullivan, Division of Wildlife wetlands coordinator. "We had 30 artists compete in last year's competition and hope to have even greater participation this year. This is a tremendous opportunity for artists to showcase their work and also contribute to a cause that greatly benefits Colorado's wetlands and waterfowl."
Celebrating its twentieth year, the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp program holds an annual contest for original waterfowl artwork featured on the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp. Cash prizes are awarded for the top three entries, but only the first-place selection is depicted on the stamp.
The Division of Wildlife will accept entries until the Friday, March 5, 2010 contest deadline. The Colorado Waterfowl Stamp Art Committee will judge the contest, and winning entries will be announced by Monday, March 29, 2010.
The Northern pintail--a common dabbling duck that migrates to Colorado's wetlands each fall--is this year's featured species. Renowned for its beautiful white and chocolate-brown plumage, the pintail derives its name from its long, pointed, "pin-like," tail feathers. A favorite among waterfowl hunters and art collectors alike, the pintail made its debut on the 1992 stamp and is the only species featured twice in the program's 20-year history.
"I look forward to seeing this year's entries and selecting the artwork that best represents the Northern pintail," said Kirk Davidson, Ducks Unlimited director of development and contest judge. "Many of the state funds generated by the sale of Colorado Waterfowl Stamps have gone directly into projects along the South Platte River and other areas that provide critical resting-stop wetlands to support the pintail. As the stamp selection committee, we attempt to select species common to Colorado and especially those, like the pintail, that depend upon our state for their life-cycle needs."
The Colorado Waterfowl Stamp program is designed to conserve wetlands for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife. All revenue generated from the program is used to fund wetlands projects throughout the state. Participation in the Waterfowl Stamp program by hunters and non-hunters alike is an effective way to contribute to the conservation of this precious resource. Wetlands conservation efforts improve habitat for ducks, geese and many other species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and mammals.
Since its inception in 1990, the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp program has raised approximately $6.7 million to help restore and protect more than 19,500 acres of critical waterfowl habitat. Additional funding from Ducks Unlimited and other partners has leveraged stamp resources to improve public waterfowl hunting opportunities and habitat throughout Colorado. Many habitat improvement projects have been conducted on state wildlife areas. Historically, some funds have also been used to improve important nesting areas in Canada known to produce the majority of Colorado's migrant ducks.
All hunters age 16 or older are required to purchase a Colorado Waterfowl Stamp to hunt waterfowl in Colorado. The stamp fee is $5 and has not increased since the program's inception. Hunters receive electronic stamps to validate their small game licenses, but they may also request traditional "gum-back" collector stamps, featuring the winning artwork. Gum-back stamps are mailed to hunters upon request, and a $2.50 fee is charged to cover stamp mailing and processing.
For collectors, waterfowl stamps and art prints are available through the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation. Prints and stamps make great gifts and may be purchased online (www.cwhf.info/shopOnline/index.asp) or by contacting Terrie DeLoria at: (terrie.Deloria@cwhf.info).
For further information regarding art contest rules, entry forms and artwork submission guidelines, please visit the Division of Wildlife Web site at: www.wildlife.state.co.us/LandWater/WetlandsProgram/WaterfowlStamp/
"We are really looking forward to this year's contest," said Brian Sullivan, Division of Wildlife wetlands coordinator. "We had 30 artists compete in last year's competition and hope to have even greater participation this year. This is a tremendous opportunity for artists to showcase their work and also contribute to a cause that greatly benefits Colorado's wetlands and waterfowl."
Celebrating its twentieth year, the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp program holds an annual contest for original waterfowl artwork featured on the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp. Cash prizes are awarded for the top three entries, but only the first-place selection is depicted on the stamp.
The Division of Wildlife will accept entries until the Friday, March 5, 2010 contest deadline. The Colorado Waterfowl Stamp Art Committee will judge the contest, and winning entries will be announced by Monday, March 29, 2010.
The Northern pintail--a common dabbling duck that migrates to Colorado's wetlands each fall--is this year's featured species. Renowned for its beautiful white and chocolate-brown plumage, the pintail derives its name from its long, pointed, "pin-like," tail feathers. A favorite among waterfowl hunters and art collectors alike, the pintail made its debut on the 1992 stamp and is the only species featured twice in the program's 20-year history.
"I look forward to seeing this year's entries and selecting the artwork that best represents the Northern pintail," said Kirk Davidson, Ducks Unlimited director of development and contest judge. "Many of the state funds generated by the sale of Colorado Waterfowl Stamps have gone directly into projects along the South Platte River and other areas that provide critical resting-stop wetlands to support the pintail. As the stamp selection committee, we attempt to select species common to Colorado and especially those, like the pintail, that depend upon our state for their life-cycle needs."
The Colorado Waterfowl Stamp program is designed to conserve wetlands for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife. All revenue generated from the program is used to fund wetlands projects throughout the state. Participation in the Waterfowl Stamp program by hunters and non-hunters alike is an effective way to contribute to the conservation of this precious resource. Wetlands conservation efforts improve habitat for ducks, geese and many other species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and mammals.
Since its inception in 1990, the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp program has raised approximately $6.7 million to help restore and protect more than 19,500 acres of critical waterfowl habitat. Additional funding from Ducks Unlimited and other partners has leveraged stamp resources to improve public waterfowl hunting opportunities and habitat throughout Colorado. Many habitat improvement projects have been conducted on state wildlife areas. Historically, some funds have also been used to improve important nesting areas in Canada known to produce the majority of Colorado's migrant ducks.
All hunters age 16 or older are required to purchase a Colorado Waterfowl Stamp to hunt waterfowl in Colorado. The stamp fee is $5 and has not increased since the program's inception. Hunters receive electronic stamps to validate their small game licenses, but they may also request traditional "gum-back" collector stamps, featuring the winning artwork. Gum-back stamps are mailed to hunters upon request, and a $2.50 fee is charged to cover stamp mailing and processing.
For collectors, waterfowl stamps and art prints are available through the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation. Prints and stamps make great gifts and may be purchased online (www.cwhf.info/shopOnline/index.asp) or by contacting Terrie DeLoria at: (terrie.Deloria@cwhf.info).
For further information regarding art contest rules, entry forms and artwork submission guidelines, please visit the Division of Wildlife Web site at: www.wildlife.state.co.us/LandWater/WetlandsProgram/WaterfowlStamp/