Vermont’s Nongame Wildlife Fund Seeks Taxpayer Support

WATERBURY, VT -After years of absence, common loons, peregrine
falcons and ospreys are now nesting again in Vermont, and their
numbers are increasing. In fact, they have done so well, they are
no longer listed as endangered or threatened in Vermont. Their
successful comeback can be credited to the Vermont Fish and
Wildlife Department which is now seeking individual taxpayer help
in supporting work on other species.

Many Vermont taxpayers have been contributing to the Nongame
Wildlife Fund since 1986, when the fund was created to help pay for
work done by biologists with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife
Department and its partners to manage and enhance wildlife species
that are not hunted or fished.

“Contributions at tax time by Vermonters who care about
protecting nongame species and their habitats are just as important
today as when the program started,” said State Wildlife Biologist
Steve Parren. “Contributions have totaled more than $100,000 each
year, which helps keep this program successful.”

Wildlife is fortunate to have lots of support in Vermont where a
survey shows 62 percent of residents actively enjoy wildlife one
way or another. Vermonters were third only to Montana and Maine as
participants in wildlife recreation. Activities include hunting,
fishing, feeding birds, and observing or photographing
wildlife.

“There remain many new challenges for wildlife conservation in
Vermont,” added Parren, “including white-nose syndrome devastating
our bat populations, increasing threats to our native freshwater
mussel species, and concerns about fungal diseases that could
impact our frogs.”

“Thanks to Vermont’s Nongame contribution line 29-a. on our
state tax form, we also can be wildlife conservationists by giving
to our Nongame Wildlife Fund at tax time. Look for the loon logo on
your Vermont tax form, and do your part to help Vermont’s nongame
wildlife,” said Parren.