2010-11 duck stamp June 25

There are few less expensive and more productive ways for you to invest dollars in wildlife conservation than buying a federal duck stamp. (The new one goes on sale June 25.) Formally known as Federal Bird Hunting and Conservation stamps, they're a required purchase for waterfowl hunters, and an important optional purchase for you. Millions of acres of land of all types, in all parts of the country, including national wildlife refuges and waterfowl management areas in Minnesota, have been purchased or leased with duck-stamp money. These lands provide habitat and migration rest stops for many species of waterfowl. They do the same for many, many more species of non-game birds. Given all the loud talk these days about government inefficiency when it comes to spending, it might be surprising to learn that 98 cents of every dollar collected is used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to buy or lease wildlife habitat. The stamp costs $15. Again, the 2010-11 version goes on sale June 25. You can buy them at most post offices and some sporting-goods stores. Duck stamps make a wonderful spur-of-the-moment gift for the birder in your life. Buy two. And when you have yours, display it. I stick mine on the cover of the Sibley bird guide I use in the field. I hope it encourages other birders to ask about it and buy one themselves. Duck stamps make a difference. When you buy one, you make a difference. The 2010-11 stamp features an American Wigeon.