I admit to being a distracted driver at times, but it's not for the usual reasons. I'm looking for moose, but not the kind wildlife biologists usually look for. I'm looking for a small moose on car license plates.
For ten years now New Hampshire's moose license plates have raised significant funds for conservation of both historic and natural resources. Land has been conserved; loons and other endangered species protected; nature education brought into classrooms; historic buildings and covered bridges fixed up along with buildings in our state parks.
I could go on. And on. The list of projects funded each and every year is impressive. Because some 41,000 people spend $30 to renew their special moose license plates, about $1.2 million are raised for conservation projects around the state. Every year.
Many states have conservation plate programs, and New Hampshire's is one of the most successful. Our state is known for its strong conservation ethic; participation in the moose plate program reflects that. Unlike programs in most states, all moose plate funds directly support conservation other than the one-time fee of $8 to pay for the actual plates. For a list of projects funded, click here.
Got moose? As an enthusiastic advocate for the Moose Plate Program, I sure hope so. And if you don't, there's a few easy steps you can take. Start with your town clerk. With the gift-giving season at hand, moose plates also can be given as gifts.