Wetlands, Waterfowl, and Duck Stamps
Event dates: Sunday, November 5, 2 pm
Wednesday, November 15, 7:30 p.m.
Event place: Redlands, CA
Museum Director Robert McKernan will present two talks on the subject of waterfowl and wetlands at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands. On Sunday, November 5 at 2 p.m. he will present a gallery talk, “Wetlands and Duck Stamps.” “Wetlands, Waterfowl and Duck Stamps” is the topic of his lecture on Wednesday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. Each presentation is free and open to the public.
The Sunday talk focuses on the relationship of Duck Stamps to wetlands conservation. Duck stamps are not postage stamps—they are revenue stamps sold annually to licensed waterfowl hunters. Proceeds from the sale of duck stamps are the single largest source of revenue for the purchase and conservation of wetlands in the United States. Many of the more than 540 national wildlife refuges have been paid for all or in part by Duck Stamp funds. As of 2003, Federal Duck Stamps had generated more than $600 million used to preserve more than 5 million acres of waterfowl habitat in the United States.
Each year’s Duck Stamp design is chosen through a federal art competition. The top entries from the 2006 contest will be on exhibit at the county museum from November 15 through 26, the first showing of these exquisite paintings on the West Coast.
On Wednesday evening, November 15, McKernan will again focus on wetlands and Duck Stamps, this time with an emphasis on migratory waterfowl species. “Inland Southern California lies under a major flyway for waterfowl species,” said McKernan. “Literally millions of ducks, geese, and other waterfowl cross our region during migrations twice yearly, stopping at nearby wetlands in the San Jacinto Valley and the Salton Sea. This habitat is crucial to the survival of these species, beloved by bird watchers, conservationists, and hunters alike.”
The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. Museum admission will be free on Sunday, November 5, and there is no admission charge for the Wednesday evening lecture. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.
The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.
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