Taxes are for the birds...and other vulnerable wildlife

We know taxes aren't a lot of fun, but there is a small thing you can do to feel better about the process. A small donation to the Fish/Wildlife Fund (also known as the Chickadee Checkoff), on line 21 of your Iowa state tax form, can help support thousands of vulnerable wildlife through research, habitat development and education.

Just over 4,600 tax payers donated generously during the 2024 tax year.  These donors gave around $138,000; a $4,000 increase from the year before. A huge heartfelt thanks to all of you who made a donation and a difference! Photo by Eric Williamson.

Skinks and Fritillaries in Southern Iowa
For the last 3 years, we've been collecting data on Northern Prairie Skinks and Regal Fritillary butterflies in the Grand River Grassland Landscape where they are priority species. The work is primarily focused on Kellerton and Ringgold WMAs and the information gathered will help support habitat management to keep these species' populations high.  Both are species of greatest conservation need. 

Blanding's Turtle in Central and Northern Iowa
Blanding's Turtles are handsome, long-lived turtles found most often in Iowa's marshes and shallow lakes. Unfortunately, we usually only find older adults, rarely baby or young turtles, raising concerns that new generations of Blanding's Turtles are small or even absent. Partnering with ISU and the Blank Park Zoo, we've been investigating movement and habitat usage by these turtles and experimenting with ways to help their nests hatch successfully and the young thrive. 

Census of Ospreys in Iowa
In the past, chickadee check-off dollars helped us to restore Osprey to Iowa. Now those dollars help us to monitor the nesting populations and make sure they are flourishing! We recently posted an update on osprey if you'd like to see how they are doing!