MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages the public to give back to nature by donating to the Endangered Resources Fund on your Wisconsin income tax form.
The Endangered Resources Fund helps support important conservation efforts for rare plant and animal species in Wisconsin, many of which are also declining or absent in other parts of the country, such as the eastern prairie white-fringed orchid and rusty-patched bumble bee.
The Endangered Resources Fund also helps Wisconsin care for the nation’s oldest and largest set of state natural areas that protect unique ecosystems and natural features, such as the canyons of Parfrey’s Glen, undeveloped lakes, remnant prairies, diverse wetlands and ancient forests. Nearly 75% of endangered and threatened wildlife species and 90% of endangered and threatened plant species are found on these sites.
“These donations greatly support our efforts to protect and restore some of our state’s most at-risk species,” said Drew Feldkirchner, DNR Natural Heritage Conservation Bureau Director. “You can help ensure that these species survive and thrive now and for generations to come.”
How to donate
To make a donation, look for the Endangered Resources Fund in the “donations” section on your Wisconsin income tax form. For tax year 2021, the Endangered Resources donation is found on Form 1, line 20a. For part-year/non-residents filing Form 1NPR, it is on line 53a.
You can also look for the donations section on your tax software or let your tax preparer know you want to donate to the Endangered Resources Fund. Donations to the Endangered Resources Fund are tax-deductible and matched dollar for dollar.
Any gift, big or small, makes a difference
Tax-form donations have helped the DNR restore bald eagles, trumpeter swans and osprey to Wisconsin skies and have kept more than 400 other endangered wildlife species and 300 plant species from vanishing from Wisconsin. Donations to the Endangered Resources Fund are not used for wolf management purposes.
For more information on how donations benefit endangered species, review the “How Your Donation Doubles Your Impact for Nature” brochure or read the DNR’s 2021 Field Notes.
Sign up for email updates on endangered species news, events and volunteer opportunities on the NHC Field Notes webpage.
