500 applicants needed to initiate Iowa DU license plate program
AMES, Iowa, April 18, 2008 – Iowa Ducks Unlimited needs 500 applicants to initiate a license plate program dedicated to the ducks and other wildlife in Iowa. The
Iowa Department of Natural Resources and DU have agreed to share the proceeds from the sale of DU license plates for habitat conservation in the state. The new plate design features the DU logo to the left of the identification numbers.
“The Iowa DNR is a prominent partner of DU’s and we are excited about the opportunity to cooperate with them to raise additional revenue for the state’s natural resources,” said Eric Lindstrom, DU regional biologist in Iowa.
The cost of the DU plate is $35 ($60 for personalized plates) with an annual renewal fee of $10, in addition to standard vehicle registration fees for Iowa. With each DU license plate application, the initial contribution and renewal fee go to conservation. The DNR receives 20 percent of the income from the plates and will designate the funds to Iowa’s Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) and Wildlife Diversity programs. DU will use the remaining 80 percent of the proceeds for waterfowl habitat conservation in Iowa.
“The DU plates are a good complement to the existing natural resources plates available to Iowa residents,” said Ross Harrison, REAP coordinator for the Iowa DNR. “The DU plate provides another option for drivers to show their support for natural resource conservation in Iowa.”
“We have over 100 paid applications, but we need to have the required 500 applicants to get production of this license plate started,” said Mike Heller, DU regional director in Iowa. “We will promote the Iowa DU plates at our upcoming banquets throughout the state and hope to get the remainder of the applications to the Department of Transportation by mid summer.”
Those interested in purchasing an Iowa DU license plate can download an application from the Iowa DU webpage. Make checks payable to “Iowa Ducks Unlimited” and send to Iowa DU License Plate Program, P.O. Box 34, Pocahontas, IA 50574.
Through license plate sales, DU and the DNR hope to grow the program to several thousand supporters. “With over 18,000 DU members in Iowa, our hope is to significantly grow this program over the next several years,” Heller said.
With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with almost 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands - nature’s most productive ecosystem - and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.
Contact:
Jennifer P. Kross 701-355-3515; Mobile: 701-202-8896 jkross@ducks.org
Becky Jones-Mahlum 701-355-3507 bjonesmahlum@ducks.org