Bipartisan Legislation Saves Vanishing Species Stamps, Ensures Continued Conservation Efforts

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, recently celebrated the signing into law of the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act. This bicameral, bipartisan legislation, introduced by Senator Carper alongside Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and U.S. Representatives John Katko (R-N.Y.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.), requires the U.S. Postal Service to sell the approximately 41 million remaining Saving Vanishing Species Stamps left in stock.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act was signed into law by President Biden, ensuring the continued sale of the Saving Vanishing Species Stamps.
  • The stamps have raised over $6.5 million for critical conservation programs around the globe since their introduction in 2011.
  • The program has generated $5.7 million to conserve some of the world's most iconic wild animals, including tigers, rhinos, great apes, turtles, tortoises, and elephants.
  • The senator, Dr. Danielle Kessler, U.S. Country Director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, stated that the stamps have given every American the opportunity to easily and effectively contribute to programs that protect imperiled species.
  • Ginette Hemley, senior vice president, wildlife conservation, World Wildlife Fund, mentioned that it seems fitting that the Tiger Stamp was given new life, especially with 2022 being the Year of the Tiger.
  • The Save Vanishing Species stamp makes the act of conserving wildlife as easy as mailing a letter, said John Calvelli, Wildlife Conservation Society Executive Vice President of Public Affairs.
  • Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, expressed gratitude to the champions in Congress for making this program a lasting success and a legacy of U.S. leadership on global wildlife conservation.

Statistics:

  • Over $6.5 million has been raised for critical conservation programs around the globe through the Saving Vanishing Species Stamps.
  • The program has generated $5.7 million to conserve some of the world's most iconic wild animals.
  • The U.S. Postal Service has sold approximately 58.5 million Saving Vanishing Species Stamps since their introduction in 2011 (100 million printed - 41 million remaining).
  • 2022 has been declared the Year of the Tiger, coinciding with the renewal of the Save Vanishing Species stamp program.

Sources:

  • U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.)
  • Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio)
  • U.S. Representatives John Katko (R-N.Y.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.)
  • Danielle Kessler, U.S. Country Director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare
  • Ginette Hemley, senior vice president, wildlife conservation, World Wildlife Fund
  • John Calvelli, Wildlife Conservation Society Executive Vice President of Public Affairs
  • Sara Amundson, president of Humane Society Legislative Fund
  • Association of Zoos and Aquariums