Florida Everglades Stamps

With this Priority Mail@ stamp, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the Florida Everglades. Spanning some 2 milion acres insouthern Florida, from Lake 0keechobee to Florida Bay, the Everolades is one of the largest wetlands in the world and the mostsignificant breeding ground for tropical wading birds in North America. The water that flows through this vast region laces togetheia mosaic of distinct habitats that support more than 1.500 animal and plant species, including numerous threatened and
endangered species.The art for this Priority Mail stamp shows a sawqrass marsh as seen at sunset from the edge of a cypress dome. in theforeground, a stand of mature bald cypress trees shelters a great egret in flight while a great blue heron patiently awaits its preyNearby, a half-submerged American alligator-a keystone species in the Everolades--moves through the shallow, slow-movingwater into the shade of the dome. in the background, the marsh meanders toward the horizon, dotted with tree islands, as roseatespoonbills and other waterbirds fly overhead
Life in the Everglades depends on water--and fire. In spring, rainstorms soak the region nearly every afternoon. The water thatcovers this low-lving landscape trickles so slowly south that it often appears not to be moving at all. In fal, the rains stop and thewater recedes. Periodic fires prevent arasses and other vegetation from taking over durina the drv season, Thev also open treecanopies to allow in more sunlight and clear the underarowth, returning nutrients to the soil. Within ust days of a fire, new qrowthbecins to appear
oday, much of the Everolades is protected within Everalades National Park, the first U.S. national park established for itsbiodiversity. Tribal lands and numerous other federal state, and private parks and sanctuaries also safeguard the Everglades.including Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, whichsupports large colonies of wading birds and attracts thousands of migrating waterbirds every vear
Designed by art director Greg Breeding, the stamp showcases a digital illustration by Dan Cosgrove.
Made in the USA.
SKUs featured on this page: 122304