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February 16, 2006
WILDLIFE LICENSE PLATES REMAIN POPULAR WITH OHIO MOTORISTS
Proceeds from sales fund a variety of conservation projects
 COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio’s drivers enjoy the state’s native wildlife and are proud to display their enthusiasm, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. In 2005, a total of 54,192 wildlife license plates was sold, earning more than $812,000 for conservation projects.
Proceeds from the sale of the wildlife license plates are used to fund a variety of efforts, including acquisition of habitat for bald eagles and the endangered Karner blue butterfly; and to monitor osprey migration patterns - an effort featured on the division’s web page at ohiodnr.com/wildlife Additionally, money obtained from the sale of wildlife license plates allowed the division to acquire conservation easements on riparian corridors to help improve water quality for mussels and conserve green space. One hundred percent of the $15 collected from the sale of each conservation license plate is spent directly on wildlife projects.
The cardinal plate is the most popular of the six available wildlife-themed plates, with more than 38,000 sold in 2005, followed by 14,848 bald eagle plates. The four new sportsman’s specialty plates, depicting the white-tailed deer (571), wild turkey (175), bass (102), or walleye (72), made up the remainder of the sales. The sportsman’s specialty plates have been available since July 2005.
According to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the cardinal plate is the best selling of all Ohio special license plates. Cuyahoga, Franklin, Butler, Hamilton, Lucas, Montgomery, Stark, Summit, Greene, and Lorain - led the state in cardinal license plate sales.
With six wildlife-themed license plates available, Ohioans can buy a plate sure to reflect their particular outdoor interests. For more information on the four sportsman’s license plates, or the cardinal or bald eagle plates, go to OPLATES.com Or, call 1-888-PLATES3 or visit the local BMV office. Wildlife specialty plates cost $25 over and above annual registration fees.
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