Duck Stamp Proceeds Fund Blackwater Conservation

CAMBRIDGE, Md. (AP) -- Federal duck stamp proceeds will be used to conserve 112 acres at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on the Eastern Shore.

Maryland Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin announced Wednesday that the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved $505,000 to conserve a privately held tract on the east side of the refuge that is being sold to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The refuge is home every winter to tens of thousands of snow geese, tundra swans, Canada geese and ducks.

Duck stamps are used as federal hunting licenses for migratory waterfowl, entrance passes for national wildlife refuges and also are popular collector items. The two senators say 98 cents of every dollar spent on duck stamps goes to purchasing habitat for protection in wildlife refuges.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)