State income tax return box helps conserve all wildlife

Voluntary contributions by Kansas state income taxpayers have supported a variety of important wildlife programs during the nearly 30 years of the Chickadee Checkoff Program's existence.

Since 1981, the Chickadee Checkoff Program has been at the forefront of endangered species protection, habitat protection, and wildlife appreciation projects in Kansas. The Checkoff has sponsored many popular projects, such as the Nursing Home Bird Feeder Program and Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites (OWLS) at Kansas schools . The nursing home program has provided bird feeders at nearly 300 nursing homes in Kansas. OWLS has allowed the development of outdoor laboratories at over 200 schools across the state.

Hundreds of investigations and habitat projects have been funded by more than $3.5 million contributed since 1981. In recent years, the Checkoff has been concentrating dollars to protect endangered species, develop habitat, monitor sensitive species populations, sponsor the Natural Kansas nature tourism website, and initiate landowner incentive programs for sensitive species.

Additionally, the Checkoff has served to document bald eagle nesting success and winter roosts in Kansas. With the help of the Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants (KSCPA), the Chickadee Checkoff has enjoyed stable contributions of about $150,000 per year over the long term.

Look for the chickadee on your individual income tax form and do your part for Kansas wildlife.

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