FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2005
Contacts: Raymond Rustem 517-373-1263 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014
Donations to Nongame Fish and Wildlife FundNow Accepted Online at Michigan E-Store
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announces a new, easy way for the public to support nongame fish and wildlife projects. With assistance from the Department of Information and Technology, a nongame donation product has been added to the Michigan e-store online.
"For over 20 years, the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund has supported projects involving endangered, threatened and other nongame wildlife species," says Raymond Rustem, Natural Heritage unit supervisor in the Wildlife Division. "We can match each dollar donated by Michigan citizens and earn up to three dollars of federal funding to support nongame projects in Michigan."
Some recent projects supported by the Nongame Fund include, restoration of osprey in southern Michigan, Kirtland's warbler management, hawk and owl migration surveys, development of a statewide reptile and amphibian atlas, support for the Great Lakes Bat Festival, and development of plans for endangered and threatened Michigan fish.
Donating to the program is fast and easy, Rustem noted. Go to the Michigan e-store website
www.michigan.gov/michiganestore and click on the "Tax Deductible Donations" button. Next, "Look for the Loon" and click to make a $10 donation; then follow the normal check-out process. While at the site, browse the other items for sale that also support the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund.You can also support nongame efforts by purchasing a Critical Wildlife Habitat vehicle registration plate through your local Secretary of State office,
www.michigan.gov/sos, or by sending in a donation to the Nongame Wildlife Fund, P.O. Box 30180, Lansing, MI 48909. Donations are tax deductible on your federal tax form.The DNR is committed to conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future generations.