The Stamp

Background

Wildlife Habitat Canada is a uniquely positioned conservation organization in that we create a bridge between Canadian Wildlife Art, waterfowl hunting and important conservation issues.

The Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp (CWHC) is a symbol of original Canadian art that serves to provide funds for conservation and draw attention to the importance of wildlife and their habitats.

$64 million

funding provided for WHC’s conservation Grant program from the sale of the stamp

1,600 projects

have been funded which have protected and restored thousands of acres of wildlife habitats.

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History of the stamp

In 1985, world-renowned Canadian Wildlife Artist, Robert Bateman, painted a pair of Mallards standing near a pond.

As a special tribute to conservation efforts across Canada, this image was the beginning of a new tradition in Canada.

Similar to the US Federal Duck Stamp, The Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp (CWHC) became a means to raise funds for conservation and draw attention to the importance of wildlife and their habitats.

The Stamp was integrated into the licencing process for Migratory Game Bird Hunters (MGBH) and is required to validate the permit. As part of a special agreement with Environment and Climate Change Canada, all funds from the sale of the Stamp are directed to WHC to fund our conservation grant program.

Selecting the Artwork

The image on the Stamp is selected every year through an art competition.

Today, the Stamp is a symbol of conservation, Canadian art and waterfowl hunters’ contribution to the protection of wildlife and their habitats.

The first art competition was held for the 1990 Stamp image. Prior to that, pieces were commissioned from Canadian wildlife artists such as Robert Bateman, J. Fenwick Lansdowne, George McLean and Jean-Luc Grondin. All winning paintings are unique Canadian pieces, selected based on accuracy and originality. Framed prints of each image can also be purchased as part of the program.

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Stamp Gallery

The success of the program has been made possible through the support of the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian wildlife artists, and of course, the waterfowl and migratory game bird hunting community.