The "Chickadee Check-off" or Fish/Wildlife Fund
What is the Chickadee Check-off?
Iowa's General Assembly enacted the "Chickadee Check-off" in 1981, as a means of providing more substantial funding to aid all wildlife in Iowa, but especially nongame species. It was this new funding source that actually cleared the way for establishing a nongame wildlife program in Iowa, today called the Wildlife Diversity Program. The check-off has provided Iowans an opportunity to voluntarily donate a self-designated portion of their Iowa tax refund when completing their Iowa form 1040s. If tax payments are still due the state, filers may even add a donation amount to their outstanding tax bill, if the spirit moves them.
Although still generally called the Chickadee Check-off, today's Iowa 1040 just refers to the term "Fish/Wildlife" fund on a line near the end of the tax form. Even though tax form terminology has changed, contributions made on this line still are credited to the special WDP account and are used to further conservation of nongame wildlife.
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What kind of projects does a donation to the fish/wildlife fund help support?
- 5 full-time staff members in the Wildlife Diversity Program dedicated to Iowa's Wildlife
- Restoration of previously lost Iowa Wildlife such as: Peregrine Falcons, Ospreys, Trumpeter Swans, and Prairie Chickens
- Educational Wildlife Appreciation events held all over the state such as: Bald Eagle Watch Days, Pelican Fest, Prairie Chicken Day
- Designation of Bird Conservation Areas in key areas around the state supporting increased habitat for all types of birds
- Multiple research projects on Birds, Butterflies, Bobcats, Fish, Amphibian and Reptiles.
- Population monitoring of species status and populations through research projects and volunteer surveys such as: Multi-Species Inventory and Monitoring, Breeding Bird Atlas, Breeding Bird Survey, Bald Eagle Midwinter Survey, Frog and Toad Call Survey, Raptor Nest and Colonial Waterbird Colony monitoring.
- Acquisition of important lands for public use in wildlife watching, hunting, hiking, and fishing
- Technical Guidance provided on land management for wildlife species.
- And many other things. See the main Wildlife Diversity Website for more information about the program.
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How Can You Donate?
Making a donation is very easy. In 2007 the contribution line for the check-offs is 58 under step 8 on Iowa's state tax form. Simply fill out the amount you would like to donate in the space next to 58a the fish/wildlife fund. If you are owed a refund the amount of your donation will be automatically deducted from your refund. If you owe taxes back, simply add the amount of your donation to the check you send in to the Department of Revenue. Every penny of your donation is then pulled out and given to the Wildlife Diversity Program - there are no administrative or processing expenses removed from your donation. The donation is also tax deductible on the following years tax form just like any other charitable giving. Also, if you'd like, you may give to more than one of the check-offs.
For official instructions and descriptions of all the tax check-offs please visit the
Iowa Department of Revenue's website. You may also
download a state tax form from their site.
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What's the Financial Status of the Chickadee Check-off Fund?
Unfortunately the revenue from the chickadee check-off has been going steeply down since 2001. Income from the 2006 tax season was roughly $108,000 down from $147,000 in 2001 - a 26% drop! In addition, this is down from a high of approximately $216,000 in 1988. The fund is a crucial resource for the Wildlife Diversity Program's operation and reviving these sagging donations is extremely important. We hope you will help - every donation, no matter how small, does!
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How Else Can You Help?
Spread the word! The more people that are aware of the check-off, the more people will donate. If you are a tax-preparer or even own another type of business we have bookmarks that you can make available to your clients. If you'd like to order some (free of charge) please contact Stephanie Shepherd, 515-432-2823 x 102.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS DONATED OVER THE YEARS - YOU'VE KEPT US GOING IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE!
