Gray Fox Photo Selected for 2027 Wildlife Stamp
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources chose a Washington County gray fox image from a field of 99 entries for the 2027 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Wildlife
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources selected a gray fox photograph by Todd Hawkins of Marietta as the image for the 2027 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp. The photo was taken in Washington County and won the 18th annual legacy stamp photo contest, whose theme this year was mammals.
Why it matters
The stamp program channels proceeds to wildlife conservation, with most benefiting species of greatest conservation need through the Wildlife Diversity Fund. Residents who buy the stamp directly support conservation work tied to Ohio's wildlife.
The Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp costs $15 and includes a commemorative card, with $1 per stamp contributed to the Southern Wings program. The contest drew 99 wildlife images, and the source does not report how many were submitted from outside Ohio.
The players
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
The state agency that manages Ohio's natural resources, including wildlife conservation programs and the Wildlife Legacy Stamp.
Todd Hawkins
A Marietta photographer whose gray fox image was selected as the 2027 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp design.
The details
Todd Hawkins took the winning gray fox photo in Washington County, and it was selected based on originality, composition, technical excellence and overall beauty. Diana Yatson of Strongsville placed second with a river otter pair photo, and Troy Nemitz of Milan took third with a red fox photo.
Timeline
The gray fox photo won the 18th annual legacy stamp photo contest, announced November 7, 2026.
The 2027 gray fox legacy stamp becomes available for purchase March 1, 2027.
Culture Shift
The annual Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp has become a yearly showcase for Ohio wildlife art, with each edition's theme and featured species rotating across the state's animals. The 2027 gray fox design follows the 2026 killdeer stamp, continuing a pattern of pairing collectible artwork with conservation funding.
Buyers pay $15 for the stamp and commemorative card, which directly supports Ohio's wildlife conservation programs. The purchase is available starting March 1, 2027, through the state's wildlife channels.
The takeaway
Buying a legacy stamp is a simple way for Ohioans to support conservation of the species they see in the state's forests and fields. The stamp program ties everyday purchases to funding for the wildlife that shares the landscape.
What happens next
Purchases of the 2027 gray fox legacy stamp open March 1, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Wildlife to see how Ohio's animal species are studied and protected.
More information
Purchase the stamp and find details on Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp purchase and information at the official state wildlife site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Theintelligencer.
