Donations to Iowa wildlife fund rise despite fewer donors

Donations to Iowa's Fish and Wildlife Fund increased slightly last year even as the number of contributors continued a two-decade decline, state officials said.

More than 4,600 Iowa taxpayers donated to the fund through their state tax forms in 2024, a 12% decrease from 2023. The number of donors has dropped by more than half over the last 20 years, with about 0.3% of total taxpayers now contributing to the program, commonly known as the Chickadee Check-off.

Despite fewer donors, contributions rose by $4,000 to more than $138,000 on returns received by October, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. That represents roughly 0.02% of all tax refunds to Iowa taxpayers.

"We are extremely thankful for those who donate to wildlife conservation with their tax refunds," said Stephanie Shepherd, wildlife biologist with the Iowa DNR's Wildlife Diversity program. "The funds are vital to our work on nongame wildlife which make up the vast majority of wildlife in Iowa."

Shepherd said many taxpayers remain unaware of the donation opportunity.

"We would love to see the number of people donating increase, but while it is a great opportunity for charitable giving, not a lot of people know about it," she said.

The Iowa Legislature created the Fish and Wildlife Fund in the 1980s to provide dedicated funding for nongame wildlife, which previously had no designated financial support. The Wildlife Diversity Program still receives no state income tax funds and relies primarily on the voluntary tax donation program and sales of Natural Resources License Plates.

Nongame wildlife includes more than 1,000 species such as songbirds, bald eagles, salamanders, turtles, monarchs and bees that make up the majority of wildlife in Iowa. The DNR's Wildlife Diversity program manages these species.

Funding supports habitat improvement, native wildlife restoration, public education about Iowa's natural resources and other conservation efforts.

Shepherd warned that the donation line on tax forms can be easily overlooked, whether taxpayers use paper forms or online services.

"If using a tax preparer, be sure to remind them that they have a client that wants to donate," she said.

To donate, taxpayers write the contribution amount next to Fish/Wildlife on line 21 of Form 1040. The sum is automatically deducted from refunds or added to amounts owed.

"Wildlife, like bald eagles, songbirds, bumblebees and chorus frogs, enrich our lives in so many ways, so I think of donating to the check-off as a way to say thank you," Shepherd said.

Taxpayers who miss the opportunity on their tax forms can donate to the Wildlife Diversity program online at https://programs.iowadnr.gov/donations.