The next letter you send could help save an endangered species from extinction.
This week, the United States Postal Service announced a new semipostal stamp called Save Vanishing Species, the proceeds of which will be donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support the Multinational Species Conservation Funds.
The beautiful drawing of an Amur tiger cub on the stamp was created by Derry Noyes and Nancy Stahl, and represents just one of the animals that will benefit from the purchase of these stamps.
Click here to order the stamps from the US Postal Service’s online store for only $11.
Who the stamps support
The Multinational Species Conservation Funds include the following funds:
- African Elephant Conservation Fund
Helps to save elephants in southern Africa from poachers.
- Asian Elephant Conservation Fund
Helps preserve habitat for elephants in Asia, and find ways for humans and elephants to coexist.
- Great Ape Conservation Fund
Seeks to protect species of ape such as gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos.
- Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund
The African white rhino and any species of tiger are both prime targets for poachers. This fund creates conservation programs to help the species maintain its existence.
- Marine Turtle Conservation Fund
A fund devoted to conserving habitat for marine turtles, allowing them to flourish naturally.
Through these 5 funds, the money raised from the stamps flows to the following list of organizations: (click any of the names to be directed to their websites)
Correction: money does not flow directly to these organizations. However, they are members of the The Multinational Species Coalition who are assisting in raising awareness about the new semipostal stamp.
- African Wildlife Foundation
- American Bird Conservancy
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums
- Bonobo Conservation Initiative
- Born Free USA
- Cheetah Conservation Fund
- Chelonian Research Foundation
- Conservation International
- Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
- Defenders of Wildlife
- Fauna & Flora International
- Feld Entertainment, Inc.
- Humane Society of the United States / International
- International Crane Foundation
- International Fund for Animal Welfare
- International Elephant Foundation
- International Rhino Foundation
- Jane Goodall Institute
- National Audubon Society
- National Wildlife Federation
- The Nature Conservancy
- Ocean Conservancy
- Safari Club International Foundation
- Sea Turtle Conservancy
- Sierra Club
- The WILD Foundation
- Wildlife Alliance
- Wildlife Conservation Society
- Wildlife Management Institute
- World Wildlife Fund
Be sure to buy the Save Vanishing Species stamps and in doing so donate money to great organizations.
What’s a semipostal stamp?
A semipostal stamp is also known as a charity stamp – one that is sold at a higher price than normal postage rates, but which donates its proceeds to a charitable cause. Similar stamp series released by the US Postal Service in the past include Breast Cancer Research, Heroes of 2011, and Stop Family Violence.
