 Last year, a little over 7,500 Iowa taxpayers helped boost wildlife conservation with donations to the Fish and Wildlife Fund on their state tax form. This is roughly 400 fewer contributors than in 2016. Donators represent about 0.4% of total tax payers in Iowa.
“We are so thankful to all the people who choose to donate to wildlife conservation with their tax refunds,” said Shepherd. “I have a hope that we can do even better to increase funding levels which go directly to habitat development and restoration programs for some of Iowa’s most vulnerable animal species. The funds are so important for natural resources.”
The Fish and Wildlife Fund, known popularly as the “Chickadee Check-off,” is a mechanism the Iowa Legislature created in the 1980s for Iowa citizens to donate to wildlife conservation on the Iowa state tax form. Before this time, so called “non-game” wildlife had no dedicated funding. Non-game wildlife are the 1000+ species such as songbirds, bald eagles, salamanders, turtles, monarchs and bees that make up the majority of wildlife in Iowa. It is one of the only funding sources for the Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Diversity program which is responsible for all these species. The program uses the funding to help improve wildlife habit, restore native wildlife, provide opportunities for citizens to learn about our natural resources and much more
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According to Shepherd, Iowans donated roughly $145,000 last spring when completing their 2017 tax forms. This translates to an average gift of $19.25 per donor. The number of donors has mostly stayed level or decreased but thanks to more generous giving, the amount donated has also stayed level or even increased.
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The tax check-off line is pretty inconspicuous and can be easy to pass over or forget. "Many tax preparers may not remember to ask whether a client wants to donate,” said Shepherd. “It may be up to the taxpayer to remind their preparer, or make a point of looking for it whether they are doing their form on paper or electronically.”
Once you find the check-off, donating is easy, according to Shepherd: simply write the amount to donate next to the Fish and Wildlife Check-Off, line 57 on Form 1040, and the sum is either automatically deducted from the refund or added to the amount owed. As with all charitable contributions, the amount is deductible from next year’s taxes.
If every Iowa taxpayer donated just $1, it would mean $1.5 million for wildlife and natural resource conservation!
DNR CONTACT:
Stephanie Shepherd | 515-230-6599 | stephanie.shepherd@dnr.iowa.gov
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