September 22, 2015
MADISON - Sales of Wisconsin's new eagle design license plate are taking off and on pace to exceed the first year performance of its predecessor Endangered Resources plates, state endangered resources officials say.
"We're pleased with the early results and happy to give people an opportunity to buy a great plate and help care for one of the great things they love about Wisconsin," says Owen Boyle, acting director of the Department of Natural Resources' Natural Heritage Conservation program.
"People have been telling us they think the plate is beautiful and they are proud of the eagles' comeback in Wisconsin. They want to be part of caring for nature and building the next conservation success through their donation."
Sales of the specialty plate donate $25 annually to the Endangered Resources Fund, which pays for work by DNR Natural Heritage Conservation staff and partners to care for native species, including rare plants and animals and state natural areas like Parfrey's Glen in Sauk County, Bailey's Harbor Boreal Forest and Wetlands in Door County, Rush Creek in Crawford County and Van Vliet Hemlocks in Vilas County.
The Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles started processing applications for the plate and have issued 427 eagle plates since then, according to Cody Castillo, lead worker in the division's special plates unit. In the first year of the badger design, 1,800 plates of that design were sold.
To learn more about the eagle plate and how to order it, go to dnr.wi.gov and search "eagle plate."
"We very much appreciate people buying the plate and helping promote it," Boyle says. "We invite people to share a photo of them with their plate to show what nature means to them."
SLIDE SHOW | 14 photosDNR is displaying photos of citizens who posed for portraits with the eagle plate and inviting people who buy the plate to take a photo with their plate in a place that illustrates their connection to nature. Those photos will be posted on the DNR Facebook page.
To submit photos for our "Talon Your Eagle Plate Story" promotion, motorists who buy the plate can go to the DNR Facebook page (facebook.com/WIDNR) starting today. People wishing to submit photos through Facebook can post to the DNR Facebook page and use the hastag #WIeagleplate. Photos also may be submitted via mobile device using this link: woobox.com/v3qqhs.
People also may submit their photo via Twitter or Instagram by posting their photo and using the hashtag #wieagleplate.
Anyone submitting photos must be at least 16 years old and must own the license they photograph. They will receive a free tote bag featuring the eagle plate design.
"Our native species and special places are a big part of what people love about Wisconsin," Boyle says. "The plate and this promotion give people the opportunity to share that with others."
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Owen Boyle, 414-750-3198
Need an expert?
The Office of Communications connects journalists with DNR experts on a wide range of topics. For the fastest response, please email DNRPress@Wisconsin.gov and the first available Communications Specialist will respond to you.
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