The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is promoting a tax checkoff that sends money to the state’s non-game wildlife conservation fund which is trending downwards. 

DNR Conservation Officer for Dallas County Dustin Eighmy encourages those receiving a state tax return to give a portion of it back to the Fish and Wildlife Fund as part of the Chickadee Check-off initiative. Eighmy says this fund helps improve habitats, restores wildlife and provides education to citizens about Iowa’s natural resources. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio a donation can go a long way for non-game wildlife species such as bald eagles, songbirds, turtles, monarchs and salamanders. 

“That check at each check off is one of the only funding sources for the Iowa Donors Wildlife Diversity Program, which is responsible for those species. So if every taxpayer in Iowa donated just a dollar, it would mean $1.6 million for wildlife and nature conservation. So I just wanted to remind people that there is that box on your tax form to check off if you want to donate a dollar, if you want to donate $5 or even more.”

In 2022, donors contributed nearly $150,000 through their state tax return which was a decrease of $25,0000 from 2020. Those interested in supporting the Chickadee Check-off, search for line 57 on 1040 form when preparing your tax return or notify your tax preparer that you want to donate.