Adam Grimm: Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp winner!

Ohioan Adam Grimm, artist and conservationist, has won the Ohio Wetland Habitat Stamp competition with his rendering of a Northern Pintail. Each year, about two dozen artists from far and wide vie for the honor of having their artwork featured on this stamp, which was introduced in 1982. Competition for top honors is fierce, and the winning entry is selected by a team of bird-savvy judges.

Adam, who hails from Elyria, Ohio but now makes his home in North Dakota, burst to prominence in 1999, when his beautiful painting of a Mottled Duck won the Federal Duck Stamp competition. That honor put him squarely in the rarified atmosphere of a relative handful of wildlife artists who have had their work grace the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, which had its inception in 1934 and has since raised over $750 million for habitat acquisition. Chances are great that if you are a birder, you've ogled interesting birds on property purchased with Duck Stamp dollars.

Not one to forget the conservation roots of the Duck Stamp, Adam plowed some of his winnings into his home state's lone federal refuge, the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge along Lake Erie. If you've birded that area much, you've probably seen this sign marking a beautiful tall grass prairie. It was Adam's generosity that made its restoration possible, and now we can enjoy Bobolinks, Sedge Wrens, and Upland Sandpipers in and around this prairie. Coincidentally, over 90% of the funds to purchase Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge came from Duck Stamp dollars. You can buy a Duck Stamp HERE.

Back in 2007 or thereabouts, the fledgling Ohio Ornithological Society asked Adam if he would be guest of honor at a special OOS fundraiser, to help raise money to assist in the purchase of land. Grimm graciously and enthusiastically agreed, and thanks to him we were able to pull in a sizeable chunk of change. That money ultimately went to provide a necessary match for Clean Ohio funds, and along with The Nature Conservancy we were able to help purchase a key parcel of land in TNC's Edge of Appalachia preserve in Adams County.

Finally, here it is - Adam's winning Northern Pintail. It'll adorn the 2014 Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp.

This isn't Adam's first time at this dance. He won the Ohio stamp competition in 2005 with a beautiful portrayal of a Wood Duck, and he has also won state stamp competitions in Alaska (twice), New York, and Washington.

Congratulations to Adam Grimm, who is not only a great artist, but also a true conservationist.