MEMPHIS, Tenn. - June 26, 2015 - The first purchases of the 2015-16 Federal and Junior duck stamps - formally known as the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp - took place at the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid on Friday. The event, hosted by Bass Pro Shops, included dignitaries from the federal government and nonprofit sectors and also provided an opportunity for guests to enjoy Ducks Unlimited's new Waterfowling Heritage Center inside the Pyramid.

The approximately 4,600-square-foot Waterfowling Heritage Center, built in partnership with Bass Pro Shops, was an ideal location for the event as it allows visitors to learn about Ducks Unlimited, wetlands conservation, waterfowl, the history of waterfowl hunting in North America and the important role that sportsmen and women have played in conserving our continent's wildlife and habitat.

Ducks Unlimited (DU) CEO Dale Hall was one of the speakers at the event.

"It was truly an honor to be asked to speak," Hall said. "The duck stamp has been a big part of my professional life, starting when I was director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). I have been a judge in the contest and monies generated from duck stamp sales help secure habitats that are critically important to North America's wetlands and waterfowl. Now, as DU CEO, I can tell you that Ducks Unlimited and our volunteers, supporters and partners are all grateful that these funds continue to benefit wetlands and waterfowl conservation across North America."

Other speakers included Dan Ashe, current USFWS director; Martin MacDonald, director of conservation for Bass Pro Shops; Jerome Ford, assistant director - migratory bird program, USFWS; Jennifer Miller, 2015-16 federal duck stamp artist; Andrew Kneeland, 2015-16 junior duck stamp artist and Toni Franklin, manager of customer service operations, U.S. Postal Service, Memphis, Tenn.

Throughout its nearly 80-year history, the Federal Duck Stamp program has raised more than $800 million to protect more than 6 million acres of habitat for birds and other wildlife. This effort has largely been fueled by waterfowl hunters who are required to buy a Federal Duck Stamp each year.

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 facebook.com/DucksUnlimited, follow our tweets at twitter.com/DucksUnlimited and watch DU videos at youtube.com/DucksUnlimitedInc.

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