IOWA DNR NON-GAME PROGRAM NEEDS YOUR HELP

BOONE - A recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey found that nearly half of all Iowans over the age of 16 participate in wildlife viewing activities. Despite the high interest and participation in this non-consumptive recreation, most Iowans do not realize that there is a state program that supports these species.

The wildlife diversity program in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources actively teaches people about landscaping for wildlife, advises management of private lands, bird feeding, where to view wildlife and co-hosts wildlife viewing events.

The program also conducts research on wildlife ranging from frogs and turtles to bats, bald eagles, grassland nesting birds, bobcats, wind farms and breeding birds and has been successful in restoring river otters, peregrine falcons, ospreys and trumpeter swans to the state.

The wildlife diversity program is funded through the Fish/Wildlife Fund (more commonly called the Chickadee Check-off) on the Iowa state income tax forms. These donations help 80 percent of the state's wildlife species, and are used to directly educate more than 25,000 Iowans about natural resources.

As income tax season approaches, please consider donating to the Chickadee Check-off. The wildlife diversity program depends on these donations to help in the conservation of more than 400 non-game species that frequent the state.

For more information, contact Stephanie Shepherd, Wildlife Diversity Technician, at 515-432-2823 ext. 102.