New Conservation License Plates Unveiled Posted: September 20, 2005 Des Moines - Two new specialty license plates, one featuring a pheasant, the other an eagle, have been added to the options Iowans can choose from to support natural resource programs. Cedar Rapids wildlife artist Greg Bordignon created the artwork for the plates that went on sale Sept. 20 at county treasurer offices. The two new plates join the goldfinch/wild rose license plate, all intended to generate more funding and recognition for the state's Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program as well as the wildlife diversity program. In an unveiling ceremony at DNR headquarters, director Jeff Vonk said the existing goldfinch/wild rose plate has been the state's most popular specialty plate with about 45,000 vehicles currently carrying them. He said he hopes 10,000 of the two additional natural resource plates will sell within a year at $45 to buy and $25 to renew, annually. Iowa has about 40 specialty plates to choose from supporting dozens of other special interests.

According to DOT officials, persons who currently have the goldfinch/wild rose plate can exchange that plate for one of the new ones for a fee of $5 at their county treasurer's office. Motorists wishing to exchange any other type of plate for any of the three natural resources plates will need to take their plates and vehicle registration to their county treasurer's office and pay $45 for natural resources plate. A $90 personalized version is also available.

Vonk said the new plates are in response to many requests over the years for a selection of natural resources plates rather than just the goldfinch/wild rose plate.

"With every plate purchase, another person or family becomes more directly involved, by their own free will, in funding conservation programs in Iowa," he said, "and the plate on their vehicle testifies to that."

Income from natural resource plate sales and renewals last year amounted to about $700,000, said Vonk. If 10,000 of the new plates were sold, that would generate another $450,000 for REAP and wildlife diversity activities.

The 15-year-old REAP program provides grants and other funding for city, county and state parks, habitat, water quality, roadside vegetation, conservation education and historical projects. REAP's primary source of funding is state gaming revenues, with annual appropriations of $11 million the last three years.

The wildlife diversity program focuses on the conservation of Iowa's 550 species of "nongame" wildlife that are not considered sport fish or game. In addition to the license plate income, this program receives funding from the Chickadee Checkoff in which Iowans can donate on their state income tax form, amounting to about $150,000 last year.

New license plate income will be used as qualifying match for an estimated $400,000 or more in state wildlife grants, appropriated annually by the Congress.