Small, but mighty - a little checkmark wields tremendous power to help protect Ohio's environment and natural resources. By using that power, with a simple flick of your pen, you can join thousands of Ohioans who each year aid wildlife restoration and natural area preservation across our state.
It works like this. Check a box on the "endangered species and wildlife diversity" or the "nature preserves and scenic rivers" line - or both - on your 2000 state income tax form and you automatically donate a portion of this year's tax refund toward important conservation projects in Ohio. You can also help these projects by purchasing specially designed wildlife conservation or scenic rivers license plates, an option to be checked off when you register your car or truck for the coming year. It's easy. It's effective. And it achieves big results.
In fact, since Ohio's tax check-off program began in 1984 and the commemorative license plates became available in 1995, more than $20,000,000 has been raised to conserve natural areas and endangered wildlife throughout the state.
Thanks to the wildlife restoration programs made possible by this generosity, more than 200 bald eagles are now soaring in Ohio skies, and a dozen pairs of peregrine falcons are nesting and raising their young atop skyscrapers in our major cities. Ospreys, gone from the state since 1913, are now flourishing in a half dozen wildlife areas across Ohio and magnificent trumpeter swans are nesting once more in Lake Erie marshes. Snowshoe hares, paddlefish - even rare butterflies - are being restored to Ohio by thousands of simple little checkmarks.
What's more, your income tax check-off and special license plate donations help acquire unique habitats and stream corridors, protecting Ohio's scenic rivers and enhancing our 123 state nature preserves. That provides much-needed habitat for plant and animal species, protects water quality and gives Ohio families more places to learn about and appreciate nature.
Last year alone, check-off funds were used to protect critical habitat at Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve in Jackson County and the Miller Nature Sanctuary in Highland County. Donations made a difference on Kelleys Island in Lake Erie and at Rockbridge State Nature Preserve in Hocking County, where new boardwalks help outdoor enthusiasts view native plants and wildlife in their natural settings.
Last year, more than 140,000 Ohio taxpayers checked appropriate boxes on their income tax forms, contributing $998,675 to aid in these efforts. Another 75,765 motorists purchased wildlife conservation and scenic rivers license plates, adding $1,136,475 to our wildlife diversity and natural areas programs.
"Checkmark power" has achieved much for Ohio's natural world, but there is a great deal more to be we can and must do. Your voluntary contributions, when you file your state income tax return in the coming weeks or purchase your motor vehicle registration this year, will help us continue this important work.