Abstract
In the United States, the transition from unchecked hunting, habitat loss, and species endangerment to an ongoing environmental awakening has been examined through various lenses. Despite this gradual perspective shift, recent reports continue to warn of global declines in species and habitat diversity. As the need for biodiversity conservation grows, nations lag behind in their conservation obligations, creating a funding gap. This paper addresses an untapped potential for funding available from stamp revenue as generated in the United States. We begin with an historical summary of wildlife philatelics and end with specialized stamps providing for biodiversity revenue generation. After the publication of Silent Spring, stamp diversification increased due to the recognition of additional environmental and conservation needs, leading to stamp-based revenue as one means to mitigate funding gaps. Having introduced this term, we provide evidence of its potential to fund biodiversity and animal conservation. Historically, stamp-based revenues began with Migratory Bird Hunting license stamps, followed by the semi-postal Amur tiger cub stamp, and eventually local and state stamps whose purchase provides funding for local conservation needs. Specific successful philatelic funding mechanisms are discussed from the United State, with an eye to future development and expansion intentionally in support of conservation and biodiversity.
Highlights
Despite international agreements and global concern focused on the loss of biodiversity, declines continue at what many consider alarming rates [3]
While sufficient funding may indicate a shortfall globally, the desire to protect animal species and habitats has led to conservation programs at the global, national, or local level, with each having its own stakeholders and support. Before this plurality of conservation responses came to be, it was preceded by a decades-long struggle to move from a public acceptance of the inevitability of species’ extinction
Specific conservation needs from IUCN Red List
Summary
Despite international agreements and global concern focused on the loss of biodiversity, declines continue at what many consider alarming rates [3]. While sufficient funding may indicate a shortfall globally, the desire to protect animal species and habitats has led to conservation programs at the global, national, or local level, with each having its own stakeholders and support Before this plurality of conservation responses came to be, it was preceded by a decades-long struggle to move from a public acceptance of the inevitability of species’ extinction. Those just becoming interested in this topic might reasonably assume that species protection was always a reality and that the importance of ensuring the Earth’s natural heritage was never more than conventional wisdom.
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