Minnesota
will release a new critical habitat license plate early next year with a
design that will feature pollinators in native habitat, according to
the Department of Natural Resources. The new design will be selected
from a public contest among Minnesota artists and their original
artwork.
Wildlife artists can submit
entries for the critical habitat pollinator plate from Monday, Dec. 5
through 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12. Contest Rules, application and artist
agreement forms will be available online next week at www.mndnr.gov/plates.
“Pollinators
such as butterflies and bees have been of concern in recent years due
to many of the challenges that affect our native insects,” said Crystal
Boyd, DNR bee specialist. “These challenges include pesticide use,
habitat loss, pathogens, parasites, climate change, invasive species,
and other factors. A pollinator license plate is a great way for
Minnesota motorists to express their concern and appreciation for our
native insects.”
To learn more about pollinators, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/pollinator_resources/index.html.
The
Minnesota Legislature created the critical habitat license plate
program in 1995 to provide additional opportunity for Minnesotans to
contribute toward conservation. Motorists who purchase a critical
habitat plate pay a $10 initial fee, plus a minimum annual contribution
of $30 to the Reinvest in Minnesota program. Every dollar generated
through the sale of the license plate is matched with private donations
of cash or land. The annual $30 contribution is not tax deductible.
Critical
habitat license plate revenue has generated more than $59 million to
acquire or improve 22,000 acres of critical habitat and helped fund
nongame wildlife research and surveys, habitat enhancement and
educational programs. Information about the program and details about
how to order existing plates is available on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/plates.
