Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014, a bipartisan bill authored by Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and John Fleming (R-LA). The bill will increase funding for wetland conservation by adjusting the cost of duck stamps purchased by hunters nationwide.

“Hunters, collectors and outdoor enthusiasts who purchase duck stamps play a vital role in protecting our wetlands here in Wisconsin and across the country” said Rep. Kind. “By updating the program to better meet our conservation needs, we are sharing in this investment so that future generations can continue to enjoy this vital habitat.”

The sale and distribution of federal duck stamps help fund the conservation of waterfowl habitat across the country. But the cost of a duck stamp has not been changed since 1991, while the need to protect wildlife habitat continues to increase. This legislation adjusts the cost of a duck stamp to $25.

Approximately 98 cents out of every dollar raised by ducks stamps are spent on wetland conservation.

Since 1934, more than 120 million federal duck stamps have been sold nationwide. With the sale of these stamps, more than $800 million has been collected and deposited into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. This funding has been used to purchase or lease over 5.3 million acres of vital wetlands and essential waterfowl habitat that have been incorporated within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The Federal Duck Stamp Act is supported by numerous conservation organizations including Ducks Unlimited and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.