NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2010
Species Selected for the 2012 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp Species
Inaugural conservation stamp raises more than $19,000 so far for wildlife diversity
COLUMBUS – Salamanders are the subject of the 3rd Annual Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp photo contest. Ohioans with a passion for wildlife photography are encouraged to focus their cameras for the next year on the state’s native salamander population, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.
“Ohio has 25 native salamander species, which might come as a surprise to some people given the secretive nature of these amphibians,” said Kendra Wecker, wildlife diversity coordinator for the Division of Wildlife. “While that might make photographing them a challenge, we feel choosing a salamander for the 2012 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp further highlights the amazing diversity of wildlife that call Ohio home.”
The contest is open to Ohioans age 18 years and older. Entries will be accepted August 1-20, 2011. The photographer with the winning image will receive $500. Budding photographers, age 17 and younger, will be able to compete in the youth division. For complete contest rules, visit wildohiostamp.com
Photographers submitted 288 images during this year’s contest, which included 24 different species of dragonflies and damselflies. Blue dashers were the most frequently submitted with 29 photo entries. The winning dragonfly photograph was captured by Sharon Cummings of Graytown. Her photo of a male Eastern amberwing will appear on the 2011 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp and be available for purchase on March 1, 2011.
The inaugural Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, featuring a Baltimore oriole, went on sale March 1, 2010. Since then the stamp has raised almost $20,000. This collectible stamp and its companion photo contest are part of an innovative program intended to raise awareness of and support for wildlife diversity. Fourteen dollars of every $15 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp sold is invested in the state’s Wildlife Diversity Fund. The fund supports habitat restoration, purchases and conservation easements; wildlife and habitat research projects, creation of wildlife educational materials, as well as efforts to restore and conserve endangered and threatened species.
Promotion and sale of the Legacy Stamp has been a grassroots effort, and found early success thanks to the dedication of conservation groups across Ohio. For a limited time only, stamp collectors and conservationists will be able to purchase the 2010 inaugural stamp.
More information about the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp and other wildlife-related topics can be found at wildohio.com.
-30-