Looking to make a difference this tax season? Wisconsonites now have the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the state's natural heritage directly through their tax returns. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Endangered Resources Fund is benefiting from a tax checkoff program that allows residents to donate a portion of their state tax refund to help protect threatened and endangered species as well as natural areas within the state. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, donations are being matched dollar for dollar, amplifying the impact of every contribution made to the cause.
Drew Feldkirchner, director of the DNR’s Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation, highlighted the importance of public support, stating, "When you support the Endangered Resources Fund, it supports our team’s on-the-ground conservation efforts and helps us collaborate with volunteers and partners to prevent the loss of species across our state." He further emphasized that "Every donation, no matter how small, helps us do the work needed to keep rare wildlife in Wisconsin," in a statement obtained by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Fund plays a crucial role in the preservation of over 400 wildlife species and 300 plant species that are endangered, threatened, or in decline within the state.
Donations to the Endangered Resources Fund have already shown significant results. Iconic species such as the bald eagle have made remarkable comebacks in Wisconsin, thanks to the combined efforts of legislation, clean-up acts, monitoring, and public donations. Similarly, the Fund is supporting essential work to save the little brown bat from extinction caused by white-nose syndrome. This includes contributing to the research on vaccine trials and population monitoring. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reports that voluntary contributions also aid in conserving the Eastern prairie fringed orchid and protecting the rusty patched bumble bee, which is the first bee to be listed as a federal endangered species, with the state hosting the largest number of known populations.
Aside from species recovery, donations are instrumental in combating invasive species and preserving state natural areas. These areas are not just refuges for the state's endangered wildlife; they also hold 90% of Wisconsin’s endangered and threatened plant species. For those interested in contributing, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources points towards the "Donations" line on the Wisconsin income tax form, emphasizing the tax-deductible nature of the gift and the guarantee that each donation is matched, thereby doubling the potential benefit to the endangered resources.
