|  11/03/2013

Minn's newly-Designed Pheasant Critical Habitat License Plate Now Available


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Minnesota’s newest critical habitat license plate features a ring-necked pheasant in grassland and is now available for purchase. Revenue generated from the sales of the new pheasant plates will be used to conserve upland habitat in the state.
 
The DNR chose the pheasant image from a previous pheasant-stamp winner submitted by Minnesota artist Joe Hautman who said he is honored to have the plate feature his artwork. The plate was graphically designed by DNR artist Collin Grant. Minnesota motorists can purchase the new, autumn-colored plate at any licensed registrar or department of motor vehicle office. It’s not necessary to wait until tabs are expired on the vehicle to purchase new plates and the tabs for the vehicle will expire at the same time.
 
“We are giving motorists more ways to show their conservation colors and individual identity,” said Tom Landwehr, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner. The first pheasant plates at the Pheasants Forever national office were purchased on Friday, November 1 by Bob St.Pierre, Vice President of Marketing for Pheasants Forever.

Motorists who purchase a critical habitat plate make a minimum annual contribution of $30 to the Reinvest In Minnesota (RIM) Program. Every dollar generated through the sale of the license plate is matched with private donations of cash or land. The plates have generated more than $25 million toward the purchase of 7,700 acres of critical habitat and have helped fund nongame research and surveys, habitat enhancement and educational programs. Plate revenue will be used, in part, to support pheasant and other grassland species through Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan habitat acquisition, a plan which Pheasants Forever helped develop.
 
More information about how Minnesota’s critical habitat license plate sales fund conservation efforts is available online.
 
Anthony’s Antics Afield is written by Anthony Hauck, Pheasants Forever’s Online Editor. Email Anthony at AHauck@pheasantsforever.organd follow him on Twitter @AnthonyHauckPF.