“wetlands”

In arid New Mexico, waterfowlers ply the same wetlands famed biologist Aldo Leopold worked and hunted more than a century ago.

Is wind energy bad for waterfowl? It's something we've discussed here before, and a North Dakota study by Ducks Unlimited and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service in North Dakota found that when wind farms are placed on wetlands, breeding pairs of ducks are reduced by an average of 21 percent.

As hunters we already pay more than our fair share to preserve publicly owned properties. We spend millions of dollars on licenses and assorted conservation stamps to preserve public lands, while hikers, campers, birdwatchers and more get to enjoy our woods and wetlands free of charge.

The Atchafalaya River Basin is home to one of America’s largest river and wetlands systems, stretching over eight Louisiana parishes. The Basin boasts the largest contiguous block of forested wetlands in the Lower Mississippi Valley. The Cajun people migrated to Louisiana in the 1760s from present-day Nova Scotia, and many came to settle along the Atchafalaya River.

A young artist from South Dakota has taken top honors at the National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. A green-winged teal by 15-year-old Madison Grimm will grace the 2022-2023 Junior Duck Stamp, which raises funds to educate and engage our nation’s youth in wildlife and wetlands conservation and outdoor recreation.

The 2022-23 Federal Duck Stamp goes on sale Friday, June 24. The stamps, which cost $25 and raise about $40 million for conservation each year, are valid from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.

The 2021-22 Federal Duck Stamp goes on sale Friday, June 25. The stamps, which cost $25 and raise about $40 million for conservation annually, are valid from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.