Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are encouraging Iowans to donate a portion of their state tax returns to wildlife preservation through the Fish and Wildlife Fund, more commonly known as the Chickadee Checkoff. More than 7,500 Iowans donated about $145,000 last year, which is used by the DNR’s Wildlife Diversity Program to protect more than 1,000 species found in the state. Participation in the Chickadee Checkoff was down by nearly 400 last year, and only 0.4 percent of taxpayers participate. DNR Wildlife Biologist, Stephanie Shepherd, thanks the individuals who contributed last year and encourages everyone to consider chipping in. “The chickadee check-off is an inconspicuous line that is easy to pass over or forget, and many tax preparers may not remember to ask whether a client wants to donate. It may be up to the taxpayer to remind their preparer, or make a point of looking for it whether they are doing their form on paper or electronically,” she says. The Fish and Wildlife Checkoff can be found on line 57 of form 1040. Taxpayers, if they choose to participate, can specify how much they would like to give and that amount is then automatically deducted from state taxes or added to what is due. According to Shepherd, Iowans could generate $1.5 million for conservation if every taxpayer donated just one dollar.
