MEMPHIS, TN - In a major win for wetlands and waterfowl conservation, the House of Representatives passed the Duck Stamp Act of 2014 today. This critically important conservation legislation increases the cost of the federal duck stamp from $15 to $25.

"Ducks Unlimited strongly supports this effort to increase the conservation impact of the federal duck stamp," said Ducks Unlimited (DU) CEO Dale Hall. "The additional duck stamp funding provided by waterfowl hunters and other conservationists will not only conserve critical waterfowl habitat, but will also help ensure the future of our waterfowling traditions."

Since 1991 - the last time the price of the duck stamp was increased - its purchasing power has declined due to inflation and rising land costs. The Duck Stamp Act of 2014 would build on this program's long tradition of helping to conserve vital waterfowl habitat across America, especially in the Prairie Pothole Region, one of the continent's most important production areas.

"We would like to thank Members of the House for their strong showing of support in passing the Duck Stamp Act of 2014," said Katie Murtha, DU's chief policy officer. "Now on to the Senate, where we anticipate having the same showing of support for this much-needed legislation. DU's goal is to have the Duck Stamp Act of 2014 signed into law by the end of the year. The time is now."

Since the federal duck stamp's introduction in 1934, it has raised more than $750 million and has conserved more than 6 million acres of waterfowl habitat.

The Senate is expected to take up the legislation sometime in the next few weeks.

For more information, visit www.ducks.org.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org. Connect with us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DucksUnlimited, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/DucksUnlimited and watch DU videos at www.youtube.com/DucksUnlimitedInc.



Media Contact:
Matt Coffey
(901) 758-3764
mcoffey@ducks.org