Press Releases

Contact: Deborah Turcotte, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

Telephone: work (207) 287-6008 cell (207) 592-1164

Fax: (207) 287-6395

July 16, 2008

Call of the Loons! Conservation “Loon” Plate Holders Get Free Admission
to Most State Parks This Weekend

Augusta – In appreciation for their support of state parks and the protection of endangered and threatened species, drivers whose vehicles sport the Conservation “Loon” Registration Plate will receive free admission to state parks and historic sites this weekend (July 19 and 20).

“Conservation Plate Holder Appreciation Days” is an annual event sponsored by the Maine Department of Conservation, in conjunction with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, to show off the beauty of state parks to those who help support their access and maintenance.

The pass only is valid at parks managed by the Maine Department of Conservation and at participating historic sites. Conservation “Loon” Plate holders who visit the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray or Swan Island in Richmond this weekend will be asked to pay regular admission. The MWP is self supporting and managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, as is Swan Island.

The Conservation “Loon” Plate is a valuable fund raiser not only for state parks, but for the Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund, which is managed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Since the Conservation “Loon” Plate’s inception in 1994 more than $14 million in funds have gone to the Departments of Conservation and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

“These funds have allowed us to complete much needed upgrades in our state parks and historic sites, and support wildlife conservation efforts through the Endangered and Nongame Species Fund,” said Patrick K. McGowan, Commissioner of the Department of Conservation. “However, the number of Conservation ‘Loon’ plates being issued each year is in decline, and as a result, so are the much needed funds to do these important works.”

Because of declining Conservation “Loon” Plate sales in recent years, the Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund is in danger of running out of money. With more license plate options available to motorists, including the Chickadee Plate, a 30 percent reduction in funds over the last several years threatens the loss of matching federal dollars. And it puts in peril the jobs of 10 experienced IF&W wildlife biologists who protect and manage many of the 49 species of birds, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles and fish that are endangered in Maine. These include the Piping Plover, Blanding’s Turtle, Black Racer snake, rare butterflies, dragonflies, and freshwater mussels. Threatened species include the Canada Lynx, Atlantic Puffin and the Arctic Tern.

“The annual free admission weekend is a wonderful appreciation gift for those Mainers who invest in wildlife and park programs through their purchase of the Conservation ‘Loon’ Plate,” said Roland “Danny” Martin, Commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “But it is our hope as well that this weekend enlightens all motorists to the value of the programs this registration plate supports, and they choose the Conservation ‘Loon’ Plate the next time they register their vehicles.”

Thanks to Loon Plate supporters, Bald Eagles no longer are endangered in Maine, but remain a threatened species. And, thanks to motorists sporting the Conservation “Loon” Plate on their vehicles, Peregrine falcons can again be seen on the cliffs of Borestone Mountain and Acadia National Park.

With the money it has received from Conservation “Loon” Plate sales, the Department of Conservation has built toilet and changing facilities at many waterfront parks, and improved access roads and parking at many state parks and historic sites.

The plate costs $20 for first-time buyers, plus regular registration fees, or $15 to renew. After processing fees, $8.40 of the plate’s annual cost supports the Department of Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Lands and $5.60 supports the Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund, which is managed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The Loon Plate became available to motorists in 1994, and reached an all-time high of 110,265 plates in 1998. In 2007, only 63,425 cars carried this plate.

“People live in Maine because they love its vast outdoors and its wide variety of fish and wildlife,” said Commissioner Martin. “Please consider supporting the program that protects what we love – the Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund and our beautiful state parks.”

For more information on the Loon Plate and the Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund, visit www.maine.gov/ifw and click on the Loon Plate.

To purchase the plate, visit www.sosonline.org.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

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