Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) has unveiled the painting Wintering West – Harlequin Ducks , by BC artist W. Allan Hancock, as the image of the 2005 Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp

Born in Timmins, Ontario, in 1968, W. Allan Hancock has had a fascination with the natural world from his childhood days. Allan spent most of his youth in Saskatchewan where abandoned homesteads and the remnants of human heritage also began to leave a lasting impression.

Allan sees the conservation and preservation efforts of various organizations as mankind's attempt to be a positive influence on the natural world – an attempt he wants to be part of. Through his participation in these efforts, Allan's artwork has been selected for numerous fund-raising projects for conservation purposes. His paintings can also be found in collections throughout Canada, the United States, and parts of Europe.

“The Harlequin duck is a wonderful subject for our 21st annual conservation stamp,” commented Jean Cinq-Mars, President of WHC. “It's a species of Special Concern that crosses our borders to reach into Greenland and the United States, reminding us that we need to work with our neighbours to conserve species.”

The Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp and Print are produced each year through unique partnerships between WHC, the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada, Canadian Art Prints and Canadian wildlife artists. The conservation stamp is purchased primarily by waterfowl hunters to validate their migratory game bird hunting permits, but it is also sold to print purchasers, stamp collectors, and individuals interested in contributing to conservation, enhancement and restoration of wildlife habitat in Canada.

The revenues and royalties from the sale of the conservation stamp and print fund WHC's habitat conservation programs. Over the past 20 years, stamp sales have raised over $30 million for hundreds of wildlife habitat conservation projects across the country. WHC is a national non-profit conservation organization dedicated to working with landowners, governments, non-government organizations and industry to conserve, restore and enhance the great variety of wildlife habitats across Canada.

For more information, please contact Pauline Fitchett, Stamp & Print Product Coordinator, at (613) 722-2090 ext.222.