Bluebird License Plate Gets a New Look

Idaho's distinctive bluebird specialty license plate has a new look. The new plates with an updated design will be available August 2 at the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles. The new bluebird design joins the other wildlife license plates - elk and cutthroat trout. All three wildlife license plates, sponsored by the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation, are available from every county assessor's office throughout Idaho. See the new bluebird license plate and the other wildlife plates at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/nongame/lic_plate.cfm. In 1992, the Idaho Legislature passed the wildlife license plate bill that allowed a portion of the wildlife license plate proceeds to benefit nongame wildlife projects, conservation education and watchable wildlife. The bluebird plate became available in 1993. The elk plate was added in 1998 and the cutthroat trout plate in 2003. The elk plate design was updated in 2008, and the cutthroat trout plate was updated in 2009. Proceeds from the purchase of wildlife plates support the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's nongame plant and animal species management by the Conservation Sciences Program. Nongame wildlife is not hunted, fished or trapped, and includes native species such as peregrine falcons, bluebirds, frogs and wolverines. Along with the state income tax check-off, the wildlife license plate program provides most of Fish and Game's nongame budget, helping fund many nongame and watchable wildlife projects and activities throughout Idaho. It also helps leverage federal funds through matching grant opportunities. The initial wildlife plate purchase costs $35, and renewals cost $25, in addition to annual registration fees, county administrative fees and Idaho state license plate fees. Conservation Sciences gets 70 percent of the money from bluebird plates, and 60 percent from elk and trout plates. Ten percent of the money from elk plates goes to the Idaho Fish and Game Wildlife Health Laboratory and the Idaho Department of Agriculture for wildlife disease research and monitoring. Ten percent from cutthroat plates goes to the Department of Parks and Recreation for construction and maintenance of non-motorized boating facilities. For information, or to buy a wildlife plate, please contact the local county assessor: www.itd.idaho.gov/dmv/vehicleservices/assessor.htm. The Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established in 1990 and dedicated to protecting and sustaining Idaho's fishing, hunting and wildlife heritage for present and future generations. More information is available at www.ifwf.org.