DNR Announces New License Plate at the NEW Zoo
DNR Announces New License Plate at the New Zoo
Badger Picked for New Endangered Resources License Plate
Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank today announced the badger will be featured on a new license plate that will help fund protection efforts for rare and unique Wisconsin wildlife and plants.
A new endangered resources license plate was authorized by the 2009-2011 state budget approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Doyle last year. Last October, the DNR held an online advisory vote for four potential plate designs depicting native Wisconsin wildlife and their habitat. During the 11-day poll, more than 23,000 voted. The badger design received 68 percent of the total votes.
“Wisconsin’s diverse landscape supports a wide variety of wildlife and plant communities,” Secretary Frank said. “The Endangered Resource program is working to protect more than 200 endangered and threatened species through research and habitat protection.
“Past success stories have included restoration of sustainable populations of the bald eagle, the trumpeter swan, the osprey and the grey wolf,” Frank said. “Our current efforts include the Kirtland’s Warbler and Karner Blue Butterfly, both in need of pine barrens for habitat in the central regions, the Great Lakes shorebird - the Piping Plover, and the American Marten of the northern forests.”
The new license plate includes a depiction of the badger, the tiger swallowtail butterfly, the eastern Meadowlark and the prairie sunflower. All are native Wisconsin species which all depend upon savanna habitat. The new plate, which went on sale today, joins the popular grey wolf plate that has been the official endangered resources plate since 1995. These plates are available to Wisconsin motorists for a $15 issuance fee and the $25 contribution, added to the cost of their annual vehicle registration. The $25 is used to support the Endangered Resources Program.
All four plates were designed by Nan Rudd of Rudd Designs at no cost to the DNR or the state. Wisconsin photographers Shane Rucker (badger) and Mike McDowell (meadowlark) also donated time and talent.
Order Plates
To order the new badger license plate and learn more about the Endangered Resources Program, go to (http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/). For additional questions regarding the license plate, contact: Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Special Plates Unit, P.O. Box 7911, Madison, 53707 – 7911; 608-266-3041; special-plates.dmv@dot.wi.gov
Tune in every Wednesday on WLUK FOX 11 for the Good Day Wisconsin morning show. Watch Neil Anderson live from the NEW Zoo for informative segments from 6 to 9 a.m
