Enter the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp Photo Contest

Story and photos courtesy of ODNR

OHIO– The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is now accepting submissions for the 18th annual Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp photo contest to determine the 2027 stamp. This year’s theme is “Mammals,” and the contest is open until Tuesday, Sept. 15 for Ohio residents age 18 and older.

Each year, the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp showcases a photograph of Ohio’s native wildlife species, selected through a contest and judged on the photo’s originality, composition, technical excellence, and overall beauty. Submitted photos should contain a mammal other than white-tailed deer and be taken in Ohio. For more information on how to submit a photo, visit wildohio.gov.

The winner of the legacy stamp photo contest will be announced this fall, and the stamp featuring that photograph will go on sale in March of 2027. The 2026 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, featuring a killdeer, is on sale now at wildohio.gov. 

The killdeer photo featured on this year’s stamp was taken by Jennifer Beck, of Lyndhurst.

The killdeer photo featured on this year’s stamp was taken by Jennifer Beck, of Lyndhurst. Beck is a two-time winner of the competition. Her photo of a bald eagle and an eaglet was featured on the 2022 legacy stamp.

For $15, Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp purchasers receive a collectible stamp and commemorative card. Stamp holders can also receive a discount on stays at nine of Ohio’s state park lodges. All of the stamp’s proceeds go to wildlife conservation, with most benefiting species of greatest conservation need. Every year, the Division of Wildlife donates $1 from every stamp sold to the Southern Wings program, which protects the overwintering habitats of Neotropical migratory birds that pass through Ohio.

The remaining Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp proceeds go to the state’s Wildlife Diversity Fund. This fund supports habitat restoration, wildlife research projects, educational materials, and efforts to conserve endangered and threatened species. The fund ensures that all wildlife species, from the killdeer to the bald eagle, have the habitat, resources, and protection necessary to succeed in Ohio’s varied ecosystems.

Southern Wings is an initiative of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), an organization that gives a collective voice to state, provincial, and territorial fish and wildlife agencies in North America. Through Southern Wings, AFWA is helping migratory birds across their annual life cycle, supporting conservation at breeding, migration, and nonbreeding sites. The program has contributed more than $4 million to projects in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more. ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

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