California State Duck Stamp Funding Fiscal Year 2026

Purpose

The goals of the CA Duck Stamp Project, as described in legislation, are to protect, preserve, restore, enhance and develop migratory waterfowl breeding and wintering habitat, evaluate habitat projects, and conduct waterfowl resource assessments and other waterfowl related research.

Description

The Stamp Project is funded by State Duck Stamp sales (Fish and Game Code § 3702). Before the Commission may consider any project proposal, the Department shall analyze such project and provide the Commission with recommendations as to the project's feasibility and need (Fish and Game Code § 3703). Two dollars and twenty-five cents ($2.25) of the amount collected by the Department for each state duck stamp sold shall be allocated by the Commission for the purposes of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan in those areas of Canada from which come substantial numbers of waterfowl migrating to, or through, California (Fish and Game Code § 3704). Lastly, this program requires a maximum of 6 percent overhead (Fish and Game Code § 3701). The Stamp Project has up to $1,939,000 that may be allocated for projects on a Fiscal Year (FY) basis (dependent upon Governor’s budget). Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: · Enhance/restore/maintain wintering or nesting habitat for CA waterfowl species. · Restoring or creating brood ponds/summer water for CA waterfowl species. · Enhancing or restoring fall and spring use areas for CA waterfowl species. · Establishing islands and loafing bars. · Levee repair, replacement of water control structures, pump repair and installation. · Fence installation to control and/or manage livestock or wildlife and/or to enhance upland habitat for waterfowl nesting and goose forage. · Removal of nonnative invasive plant species and restoration (active or passive) of native and other desirable wetland or upland vegetation. · Research to obtain population parameters of species/subspecies/population.