17 July 2022

The 2022-2023 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is now on sale.

Since 1934, sales of the Stamp have raised over $1.1 billion that has conserved over 6 million acres of wetland habitat for birds and other wildlife. The Stamp sells for $25 and raises approximately $40 million in sales each year.

This year’s Stamp features a pair of Redheads afloat in choppy water. Artist James Hautman of Chaska, Minnesota, has now won the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest a record-breaking six times.

You can read the press release about this year’s Stamp from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

This year’s Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest was held COVID-style, viewable on the web, with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosts and judges at the FWS Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia.

This year’s winner was James Hautman of Chaska, Minnesota, with his acrylic painting of a pair of Redheads afloat in choppy water. He has now won a record-breaking six times — starting with his first win as a 25-year-old with his entry in 1989 that became the 1990-1991 Stamp. At that time, he was the youngest ever to win and he had entered 5 times before his win.  His painting will be made into the 2022-2023 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or “Duck Stamp,” which will go on sale in late June 2022.

Robert Hautman of Delano, Minnesota, placed second with his acrylic painting of Snow Geese.  

Joshua Spies of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, took third place with his acrylic painting of a flying drake Redhead.

The judges for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Contest were: Paul Rhymer, artist; Dave Goyer, philatelist; Wayne Hubbard, conservation partner; Larry Richardson, artist; and Dixie Sommers, conservation partner.

The in-person gathering also celebrated Richard Clifton’s 2020 stamp and included a presentation of a pane of stamps in recognition for his win.

Since 1934, sales of the stamp have raised over $1.1 billion that has conserved over 6 million acres of wetland habitat for birds and other wildlife. The Stamp sells for $25 and raises approximately $40 million in sales each year.

Additional information about the 2021 Duck Stamp Art Contest, including a link to each day’s proceedings, as well as the gallery of the 137 entries, can be found here.

The 2022 contest rules will be posted no later than the end of January. Rules as far as size, media, orientation, acceptance dates and location, etc., will remain the same.  There will be no special theme next year so hunting accessories will be optional. Species will be:

• Tundra Swan
• Mottled Duck
• Green-winged Teal
• American Wigeon
• Barrow’s Goldeneye

To be competitive, the North American races/subspecies of Tundra (Whistling) Swan and (American) Green-winged Teal should be depicted. Although Bewick’s (Whooper) Swans and Common/Eurasian Teal may be submitted, they will most likely not be chosen for the stamp.

Thank you to all entrants, judges, and the staff of FWS, especially Duck Stamp Program Director Suzanne Fellows, for the success and celebratory conclusion of the 2021 Art Contest.

Congratulations to the winners!

And remember to buy your Duck Stamp!

3 October 2021

On August 24, 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published final regulations governing the annual Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Contest. These revisions provide artists more flexibility when designing their art and broaden the appeal of the Duck Stamp to a more diverse audience. They take effect beginning with the 2022 contest.

This final rule removes the “celebrating our waterfowl hunting heritage” theme and the mandatory inclusion of an appropriate hunting element. It changes the judging requirement to consider that the entries reflect this theme. It also revises the qualifications for selection as a judge.

The 2020 final regulations made the hunting theme a permanent requirement, and since then many stakeholders and artists expressed their dissatisfaction with this change.

Waterfowl hunters have been the major contributors to the program. They are required to purchase Duck Stamps to hunt waterfowl. Many collectors, birders and other non-hunters also purchase Duck Stamps to contribute to conservation or for the Stamp’s artistic value.
This change will position the contest to engage new artists and more entries by allowing artists more freedom of expression when creating their entries, and to generate increased Stamp revenue through expanded sales to non-hunters.

The live portrayal of one of the eligible species, announced early each year, must be the dominant feature of each entry. Hunting accessories and scenes, such as dogs, decoys and blinds are optional components and can be included at the artist’s discretion.

According to USFWS, “We’re proud that the Duck Stamp continues funding migratory bird and habitat conservation across the U.S., while also bringing together diverse communities through art and a shared connection to wildlife, nature, and a healthy planet.”

The Service announced the changes by press release.

The 2021-2022 Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp are now on sale.

The Stamp is effective from July 1 through June 30, 2022.

The Lesser Scaup drake painted by artist Richard Clifton of Milton, Delaware was selected as the winning entry of the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. A pair of Hooded Mergansers painted by Margaret McMullen, of Kansas was the winning entry of the Junior Duck Stamp Contest. 

“Purchasing Federal Duck Stamps is a great way to support bird habitat conservation and is one of the most successful conservation tools in our toolbox. Of every dollar spent on a duck stamp, 98 cents of the purchase goes directly to acquiring and protecting waterfowl habitat,” said Martha Williams, Service Principal Deputy Director. “First Day of Sale is also our opportunity to celebrate and congratulate the youth artists who lend their talents to the Junior Duck Stamp.”

The Federal Duck Stamp program began during the era of the Depression and Dust Bowl as a way to curb the widespread destruction of wetland habitats that were vital to the survival of America’s waterfowl.

In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (or “Duck Stamp Act”). The Duck Stamp Act requires anyone 16 or older to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp for waterfowl hunting. However, you don’t have to be a waterfowl hunter to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp. Anyone who values wildlife and the habitats they depend on can help conserve habitat by purchasing a Federal Duck Stamp. This includes members of Refuge Friends groups, birders, wildlife photographers, and others.

Artists and stamp collectors have also taken great interest in the Federal Duck Stamp. In 1949, the first Federal Duck Stamp art contest was held. Today, 72 years later, the tradition of hosting a nationwide contest, open to anyone and sponsored by the U.S. government, continues. A Junior Duck Stamp Program was initiated in 1989 to encourage education and nationwide participation by students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

And in addition to the waterfowl hunting license, conservation benefits, appeal to collectors and artists, the current Federal Duck Stamp also grants you free entrance into any National Wildlife Refuge that charges an entry fee.

The theme of this year’s Federal Duck Stamp is “Celebrating our Waterfowl Hunting Heritage.” An image of a drake Lesser Scaup with a lanyard and duck calls won the 2020 contest. The 2021 contest regulations with the mandatory inclusion of hunting references remains in effect. U.S. FWS has proposed a new rule scrapping the hunting requirement that would be applicable beginning with the 2022 contest.

Given the mandatory licensing requirement for waterfowl hunters over the age of 16, waterfowl hunters have been the primary group responsible for raising over $1.1 billion to conserve wildlife and healthy wetland habitats within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

This year’s Junior Stamp features a Hooded Merganser pair painted by Margaret McMullen. This $5 stamp is sold to raise awareness and funds for the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program. This program raises awareness of wildlife and conservation across the U.S. and its territories.  

Federal Duck Stamps are available online, at National Wildlife Refuges, some post offices, and in many sporting goods and large-scale retail stores that sell hunting and fishing licenses and equipment.

The Federal Duck Stamp costs $25, and the Junior Duck Stamp is $5.

The 2021 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest to select the 2022-2023 stamp will be held September 24 and 25.

30 June 2021

The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp plays a vital role in advancing wetland and grassland conservation, preserving valuable habitats for wetland birds and for future generations. The Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp’s interest is to support the Federal Duck Stamp program, advocating and promoting the effort with its tremendous scope, reach, and value in celebrating our American culture and heritage since 1934.

In 2018, all entries to the Federal Duck Stamp art contest were required to include one or more waterfowl hunting-specific elements or a waterfowl hunting scene as part of the artwork.

In 2020, a rule made the theme “Celebrating Our Waterfowl Hunting Heritage” and the mandatory inclusion of an appropriate hunting element permanent, beginning with the 2020 Contest. 

In June of 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to revise regulations governing the annual Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) Contest to remove the changes made in 2020.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates in their press release “This proposed rule would remove the permanent “celebrating our waterfowl hunting heritage” theme and the mandatory inclusion of an appropriate hunting element beginning with the 2022 contest; revise the judging requirements to consider that the entries reflect this theme; and revisit the qualifications for selection as a judge. Since the implementation of the 2020 final regulations, many stakeholders have continued to express their dissatisfaction with this element being a requirement for all entries.”

This proposed rule to revise the Contest Regulations was posted on the Federal Register on June 23. See the press release from the Department of the Interior.

Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp recommend that this proposal be approved.

The proposed rule is open for public comments until July 23, 2021.  All comments must be submitted through the process described in the proposed rule – if they are submitted any other way, they cannot be incorporated or considered.  You can access the proposed rule and/or comment, via the Federal Register. Or you can use this link: https://tinyurl.com/duck-stamp-rules-rollback. Or you can search for the rule at www.regulations.gov using any of these search terms:

• FWS-HQ-MB-2021-0048
• Revision of Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) Contest Regulations June 23, 2021
• 2021-13476

You can comment on the rule via the portal described above, or by postal mail. Ahead of entering your final comments, we recommend that you create your letter, ready to cut and paste to the portal.

We urge all of our readers to comment on this proposal. As a starting point for your customized response, the Friends have provided a sample letter and a list of talking points. Please share this information via your preferred social media.

Thank you for taking the time to comment and thanks for your support of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and the Duck Stamp Office!

Rationale for our position

We feel that this proposal will broaden the reach and appeal of the Stamp and the Stamp Art Contest.

This proposal removes limits placed on the creativity of artists. We hope this change will change reverse the steady decline in the number of contest entries.

The challenge now is to increase sales of the Stamp, which are down from a high of 2,412,651 in 1970-1971.  Current sales numbers are similar to those in the 1960s and 1980s.

We greatly appreciate the hunting community. They have provided most of the dollars to support the purchase of wetlands in America.  Even with their current unwavering support the number of stamps purchased continues to decline as the number of hunters decline.

The biggest opportunity for increased sales is with others that use and appreciate the National Wildlife Refuge System and our public lands and purchase the stamp as a way of supporting conservation. We need to broaden the base of support to include the growing number of non-consumptive citizens who value land protection.

Framing the Stamp as exclusively within the context of America’s hunting heritage does a disservice to the wide range of Stamp existing and potential purchasers. If more Stamps are not sold, not only will the Stamp and the Contest be negatively impacted, but waterfowl hunting and hunters who benefit most from this program, along with others who use our public lands, will see the impact of this program on preservation of waterfowl habitat shrink. The Stamp must be marketed to all audiences.

In summary, this proposal will position the Contest to engage new artists and more entries by allowing artists more freedom of expression when creating their entries, and to generate increased Stamp revenue through expanded sales to nonhunters. We feel the proposed rule change will positively impact the Stamp and the Stamp Art Contest.

In 1976, Congress changed the name of the Stamp from “The Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp” to “The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp” in order to acknowledge the rich tradition of the broad diversity of duck stamp supporters. The proposed rule will help to market the Stamp to all audiences, and should be implemented.

25 May 2020

This year’s Junior Duck Stamp Contest, originally scheduled for April 17 in Westborough, Massachusetts, was instead held virtually.  First place winner was Madison Grimm, 13, of South Dakota with her acrylic rendition of a Wood Duck. Her art will be made into the 2020-2021 Junior Duck Stamp, which goes on sale June 26.  Chowon Kim, 17, of New York, took second place with an acrylic rendition of a Hooded Merganser.  Meijia Tang, 16, of Maryland, took third place in the Contest with an acrylic and oil rendition of Northern Pintails.

The Conservation Message Contest in this year’s contest was won by Abby Gilreath, 16, of Nebraska, for this message: “When we practice conservation, we protect not only our wildlife but our health and environment for future generations.”  Congratulations to Madison Grimm, Chowon Kim, Meijia Tang, and Abby Gilreath!

All native waterfowl species are eligible subjects for Junior Duck entries.  The recent revised regulations governing the Federal Duck Stamp Contest to include a permanent theme of “celebrating our waterfowl hunting heritage,” and making mandatory that each entry include an appropriate waterfowl hunting scene and/or accessory, do not apply to the Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest.

Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps support the program.  You can purchase them at various outlets listed by USFWS, the USPS Postal Store, and some National Wildlife Refuges.   Read the full press release about this year’s contest, or learn more about the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program.

Next year’s Junior Duck Stamp Contest, is tentatively scheduled for April 16, 2021, in Westborough, Massachusetts.

IMAGES: USFWS 

25 May 2020

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has revised regulations governing the annual Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Contest, also known as the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. Beginning in 2020, the Contest will include a permanent theme of “celebrating our waterfowl hunting heritage,” and it will be mandatory that each entry include an appropriate waterfowl hunting scene and/or accessory. Changes to design elements and judging requirements begin with the 2020 Contest.

Read the Final Rule.

Comments were received from twenty-seven organizations, including three of the Flyway Councils (Central, Atlantic, Pacific), The Trumpeter Swan Society, the American Birding Association, Audubon societies, ornithological societies, and National Wildlife Refuge Friends groups. Hunters, birders, scientists, artists, Stamp and art collectors, and many concerned with increasing land conservation submitted statements. Comments included concerns that sales of the Stamp would be hurt rather than encouraged, and that adding a mandatory hunting element would discourage purchases from non-hunters. Others cited that the proposal would have imposed restrictions on artists and the design of the artwork, would limit other artists or experts from serving as judges, and reduce the number of entries. Comments in support of the proposed rule stated that it was important and long overdue to recognize hunters’ contributions to conservation and the waterfowl hunting heritage.

While we are disappointed by this decision, we extend many thanks to all of you who participated by submitting comments on the proposed rule.

We greatly appreciate the unwavering support of waterfowl and other hunters for the Stamp. Purchases from hunters have provided the greatest amount of dollars towards acquisition of wetlands in America. We also wish to acknowledge and applaud the diverse group of supporters, who, in addition to hunters, purchase the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp each year.

However, the number of stamps purchased continues to decline.  By buying a Stamp, you contribute to conservation. Some 1.5 million stamps are sold each year, and as of 2019, Federal Duck Stamps generated more than $1.1 billion for the preservation of more than 6 million acres of waterfowl habitat in the United States. A current Federal Duck Stamp is also a free pass into any National Wildlife Refuge that otherwise charges an entry fee.

Please continue your support of this program by purchasing your 2020-2021 Stamp, starting June 26.

5 February 2020

The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp plays a vital role in advancing wetland and grassland conservation, preserving valuable habitats for wetland birds and for future generations. The Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp’s interest is to support the Federal Duck Stamp program, advocating and promoting the effort with its tremendous scope, reach, and value in celebrating our American culture and heritage since 1934.

In 2018, all entries to the Federal Duck Stamp art contest were required to include one or more waterfowl hunting specific elements or a waterfowl hunting scene as part of the artwork.

A proposed rule would make the theme “Celebrating Our Waterfowl Hunting Heritage” and the mandatory inclusion of an appropriate hunting element permanent, beginning with the 2020 Contest.  This would be similar to the 2018 Contest rules. 

Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp recommend that this proposal be rejected.

This proposed rule to revise the Contest Regulations was posted on the Federal Register on January 29. See the press release from the Department of the Interior.

The proposed rule is open for public comments until March 16, 2020.  All comments must be submitted through the process described in the proposed rule – if they are submitted any other way, they cannot be incorporated or considered.  You can access the proposed rule and/or comment, via the Federal Register. Or you can use this link: https://tinyurl.com/duck-stamp-rules-change. Or you can search for the rule at www.regulations.gov using any of these search terms:

• FWS-HQ-MB-2019-0105-0001
• Revision of Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) Contest Regulations
• 2020-01497
• 1018-BE20

You can comment on the rule via the portal described above, or by postal mail. Ahead of entering your final comments, we recommend that you create your letter, ready to cut and paste to the portal.

We urge all of our readers to comment on this proposal. As a starting point for your customized response, the Friends have provided a sample letter and a list of talking points. Please share this information via your preferred social media.

Thank you for taking the time to comment and thanks for your support of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and the Duck Stamp Office!

Rationale for our position

We feel that if made permanent, this proposal will limit, not advance, the Stamp or the Stamp Art Contest.

The limits placed on the creativity of artists by this rule will contribute to the already steady decline in the number of contest entries.

The challenge now is to increase sales of the Stamp, which are down from a high of 2,412,651 in 1970-1971 to today’s 1,514,551 in 2017-2018. Current sales numbers are similar to those in the 1960s and 1980s.

We greatly appreciate the hunting community. They have provided most of the dollars to support the purchase of wetlands in America.  Even with their current unwavering support the number of stamps purchased continues to decline as the number of hunters decline.

The biggest opportunity for increased sales is with others that use and appreciate the National Wildlife Refuge System and our public lands and purchase the stamp as a way of supporting conservation. We need to broaden the base of support to include the growing number of non-consumptive citizens who value land protection.

Framing the Stamp as exclusively within the context of America’s hunting heritage does a disservice to the wide range of Stamp existing and potential purchasers. If more Stamps are not sold, not only will the Stamp and the Contest be negatively impacted, but waterfowl hunting and hunters who benefit most from this program, along with others who use our public lands, will see the impact of this program on preservation of waterfowl habitat shrink. This proposal would promote the theme ‘‘celebrating our waterfowl hunting heritage” at the expense of focusing on growing the program to insure its transformative impact well into the future.

In summary, this proposal will not increase Contest participants, generate increased Stamp revenue, grow the number Stamp collectors, expand sales to nonhunters, and will not raise appreciation for the Stamp itself. We feel the pending permanent rule change will negatively impact the Stamp and the Stamp Art Contest.

In 1976, Congress changed the name of the Stamp from “The Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp” to “The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp” In order to acknowledge the rich tradition of the broad diversity of duck stamp supporters. This pending proposal is a step backward and should not be implemented.

25 October 2019

After two days of competition, Eddie LeRoy of Eufala, Alabama, emerged as the winner of the Federal Duck Stamp Art Competition on 29 September. He did it with his painting of a pair of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. (View his winning work, above.) There were 190 qualified entries in the competition. Of these entries, only 13 made it to the final round of judging. The eligible species for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Contest were the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Emperor Goose, American Black Duck, Bufflehead and Northern Shoveler. You can still view the online gallery with all the 2019 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest entries.

LeRoy’s acrylic painting will be used for the 2020-2021 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or “Duck Stamp,” which will go on sale in late June 2020. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, of course, produces the Stamp, which sells for $25 and raises approximately $40 million in sales each year. These crucial dollars are deposited into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, and they go toward the acquisition or lease of habitat in the Refuge System from willing sellers.

In addition to LeRoy, Cory McLaughlin of Wells, Texas, placed second with his oil painting of another Black-bellied Whistling-Duck pair, and Frank Mittelstadt of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, took third place with his acrylic painting of a Bufflehead pair.  Curiously, Mittlestadt placed second last year with his rendition of a perched male Wood Duck accompanied by a hunter with dog collecting decoys.

The judges for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Contest were: Walter Matia, artist; Brian K. Schmidt, biologist; David Elwing, conservation partner and philatelist; Wayne Knight, artist; and Peggy Watkins, artist.

Since 1949, the artwork for the federal duck stamp has been chosen in a such a juried competition, originally in Washington, D.C., but now held at a different location each year. This year, the contest was held at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Maryland, outside of the capital.

Eighty-five years after the Stamp was established, sales of the Duck Stamp to hunters, bird watchers, outdoor enthusiasts, and collectors have raised more than $1 billion. This amount has gone to conserve over six million acres of wetland and grassland habitat for birds and other wildlife, providing meaningful opportunities to enjoy our National Wildlife Refuge System.

21 February 2019

John D. Dingell Jr. was the longest-serving member of Congress in our country’s history, representing his Michigan district for almost 60 years, from 1955 to 2015. He passed away on February 7th. John Dingell fought for comprehensive healthcare legislation, supported civil rights, battled public fraud, and advocated consistently for wildlife conservation. Indeed, Dingell was the architect of some of the most important conservation laws of our land.

Dingell was the main architect of the Clean Water Act; he drafted the Endangered Species Act; he wrote the National Environmental Policy Act; he authored the Refuge Administration Act of 1966; and he sponsored the Refuge Improvement Act in 1997.

Among his many legislative achievements, John Dingell crafted perhaps the most important, yet little-known, revision to the Duck Stamp Act, Public Law 85-585 in 1958, guaranteeing that proceeds from the Stamp be dedicated to fee-title and easements for migratory bird refuges and Waterfowl Production Areas. No more could the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund be “raided” for other purposes. The funds would go to habitat. Period.

He served on the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission from 1969 until his retirement, making sure that those vital funds collected through the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp were invested appropriately for wetlands and associated grassland acquisition. During that tenure, Dingell was instrumental in adding millions of acres to the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Among his refuge passions was the establishment of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge – the only international wildlife refuge in the system. It virtually became his personal project. The Refuge Gateway property is adjacent to the Refuge’s Humbug Marsh unit in Trenton, Michigan and is the location of the Refuge’s Visitor Center. This 44-acre industrial brownfield was the home of a Chrysler automotive plant until 1990. Today, all of the land surrounding the Visitor Center is owned by Wayne County and cooperatively managed with the Refuge. The site has been cleaned up and converted to wetland and upland habitats and will include a world-class boat dock and fishing pier, greenway trails, and a kayak and canoe launch. Completion of these projects is anticipated later this year. It is a fine example of creative urban restoration that other large cities could surely emulate.

In May 2014, the National Wildlife Refuge Association recognized Congressman Dingell’s vast contributions by awarding him with its first ever ​Theodore Roosevelt Lifetime Achievement Award.

He was also the Honorary Life Member of our own Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp. Indeed, at the 9th Annual International Wildlife Refuge Alliance (IWRA) Benefit Dinner in support of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, we presented a special award to the Congressman. It was created by Joe Hautman, artist and Board member of our Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp. The work shows Hautman’s rendition of a male Wood Duck which graced the 2012-13 Stamp, along with a copy of the Stamp itself and a special inscription from our Friends

To Congressman John Dingell on behalf of the Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp honoring your tireless work for birds and their habitats and for your leadership on the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission.

Joe Hautman, May 2014

Highly regarded for his acumen and profound legislative abilities, the 92-year-old Dingell also retained a keen sense of humor. Upon his retirement from Congress he became very active on Twitter and amassed a huge following of almost 260,000 followers for his biting critiques of politics and commentary on popular culture.

His wife and successor in Congress, Debbie Dingell, informed the media that he remained feisty to the very end. “He is John Dingell. He is in charge. Ordering everyone around. Doing it his way,” she said on the day before he passed, noting that he even continued to dictate missives for his unexpectedly funny Twitter feed. John Dingell’s profoundly meaningful last words to his fellow Americans were also dictated and widely published. An excerpt:

… these challenges were addressed by Congress. Maybe not as fast as we wanted, or as perfectly as hoped. The work is certainly not finished. But we’ve made progress — and in every case, from the passage of Medicare through the passage of civil rights, we did it with the support of Democrats and Republicans who considered themselves first and foremost to be Americans.

John Dingell was one of the finest conservation champions that our country has ever known. The National Wildlife Refuge System would not be what it is today without his vigilance and dedication. We already miss his wisdom, experience, humor, passion, and dedication to our country and its wildlife heritage.