Deer debuts on conservation stamp artwork

Internationally acclaimed wildlife artist David Parry has unveiled his painting that will be used as the Wildlife Habitat Trust’s (WHT) 2022 conservation stamp. 

Titled Red Deer on Arran, the revenue from the sale of the stamp will help fund WHT conservation projects across the UK. 

The WHT was established in 1986 by members of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and has become well known as the UK’s sporting shooting conservation fund.

Every year the WHT launches a new conservation stamp which is taken from the artwork of a famous wildlife artist. 

David Parry trained at the Central School of Art and is a full member of the Society for Wildlife Artists. He is a full-time artist, who started his career as an illustrator and progressed to wildlife painting, which remains his greatest passion to this day.

Paul Williamson, secretary to the WHT and BASC’s head of land management, said: “It was an honour to have David create this year’s stamp artwork. The funds generated from the sale of these stamps will go directly towards funding conservation projects. The WHT continues to grow in the conservation sector and these stamps significantly contribute to our success.”

Arran was a natural choice of subject for the stamp painting, as BASC provides a stalking scheme there exclusively for members. 

Martin Edwards, BASC’s head of deer management, added: “I’m delighted that this year’s stamp features an icon of the Scottish hills. The stamp reflects the beauty of Arran and the majesty of the red deer found there.”

The funds raised from last year’s WHT stamp, titled Hen harriers on Swinton Estate, went towards funding a nest camera which earlier this year caught national attention as it streamed live footage of a hen harrier nest on Swinton Estate.

Find out more about the WHT here.