A major mandate among the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's (MDIFW's) diverse mandates is the protection and management of all Maine's fish and wildlife resources. This is a tall order when you consider that common bird and mammal species most familiar to us actually comprise only a small fraction of the total diversity of Maine's wildlife. Indeed, most of Maine's birds (226 species), mammals (60 species), reptiles (17 species), amphibians (18 species), fish (69 species), and invertebrates (more than 15,000 species including such groups as the dragonflies, butterflies, mayflies, moths, beetles, snails, crayfish, freshwater mussels and many others) are not hunted, fished, or trapped. However, these species are vital to the health of Maine's rich ecosystems. They also contribute to our quality of life, from providing aesthetic values (butterfly and bird watching) to playing important roles in pollination and pest control. Many of Maine's nongame (species not hunted, fished or trapped) species are common and widely distributed, but others are rare and are found in only a handful of locations. Some species in Maine are vulnerable to state extinction - a fate that has beset more than a dozen species already, from the well known wolf and cougar, to the cryptic American burying beetle. To prevent further species extinctions in Maine, MDIFW maintains a list of Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern species that are in need of further survey, research, and recovery. The key to marshalling the personnel and resources needed to maintain a successful nongame species program in Maine is adequate and stable funding. Unfortunately, there has never been a stable and secure source of funding for these wildlife programs.

How are these programs currently funded? The Nongame and Endangered & Threatened Wildlife program began in 1984 with establishment of the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund, which is based on the "Chickadee Checkoff," a voluntary tax check-off on the state income tax form. In 1993, the Conservation Registration Plate (Loon Plate), a voluntary vehicle plate registration, was introduced to provide additional funding for these programs. Finally, the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, established in 1996, allocated proceeds from a lottery ticket sale to conservation, including 15% for Endangered and Threatened species projects. All money donated, whether through the tax check-off, conservation license plates, Outdoor Heritage Fund grants, or as direct gifts, is deposited into the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund - a special, interest-bearing account from which money can only be spent for the conservation of Maine's nongame, Endangered and Threatened species.

History of income derived from the "Chickadee Checkoff," Loon Plate, and Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund to benefit nongame and Endangered & Threatened wildlife programs.

Chickadee Checkoff Loon License Plate Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Year Total Number of Average Percent of Income to Number of Income to Number of Given Givers Donation Taxpayers MDIFW Registrations MDIFW Projects Giving Funded 1984 $115,794 25,322 $4.57 5.3% 1985 $129,122 29,200 $4.42 6.0% 1986 $112,319 26,904 $4.17 5.4% 1987 $114,353 26,554 $4.31 5.2% 1988 $103,682 24,972 $4.15 4.8% 1989 $93,803 20,322 $4.62 3.6% 1990 $88,078 18,332 $4.80 3.2% 1991 $92,632 19,247 $4.81 3.4% 1992 $95,533 18,423 $5.18 3.2% 1993 $82,842 15,943 $5.20 2.8% 1994 $84,676 10,863 $7.79 2.0% $335,042 59,829 1995 $81,775 10,014 $8.17 1.8% $457,307 81,662 1996 $90,939 11,024 $8.25 2.0% $535,679 95,657 $112,232 3 1997 $77,511 8,686 $8.92 1.5% $588,364 105,065 $133,971 5 1998 $48,189 4,065 $11.85 0.7% $617,484 110,265 $184,109 7 1999 $47,908 3,775 $12.69 0.7% $569,610 101,716 $121,436 5 2000 $44,496 3,297 $13.50 0.6% $499,486 89,194 $323,884 11 2001 $49,348 3,713 $13.29 0.6% $458,057 81,796 $148,408 5 2002 $50,412 3,661 $13.77 0.6% $446,342 79,704 $172,191 8 2003 $55,348 3,792 $14.60 0.6% $425,147 75,919 $184,129 5

Chickadee Check-off Income from the Chickadee Checkoff dropped dramatically (40-50%) in 1998, when the check-off was unexpectedly moved from the primary tax form to a supplemental form where it has remained since. Income in 2003 (2002 tax returns) remained at a reduced level and, as in the past several years, only 0.6% of taxpayers contributed. Participation rates steadily declined from highs of over 5% in the mid-1980s to 1.5-2.0% just prior to moving the check-off to a supplemental form. However, average donations have increased steadily from $4-$5 in the 1980s to $14.60 in 2003. If participation levels could be increased to just the 3% range, income from the checkoff would increase about $270,000 at 2003 average levels of giving. This could provide substantial increases for nongame and Endangered & Threatened wildlife species programs.

Conservation Registration Plate (Loon Plate) The Loon Plate has been very successful, but competition with the free, general issue Chickadee Plate, introduced in July 1999, and the introduction of several other specialty plates in 2002 and 2003, has reduced this important source of funding by 31% since 1998. Residents pay a $15 annual renewal for this conservation plate, of which $5.60 is returned to MDIFW and $8.40 to the Bureau of Parks and Lands. We believe that all new plate designs not connected to the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund will result in a measurable loss of Loon Plate revenues. Keep in mind that while there is more than one animal adorning Maine's license plates, only one currently contributes to wildlife conservation - the Loon!

Outdoor Heritage Fund In 2003, MDIFW received $184,129 from competitive grants from the Outdoor Heritage Fund for 5 wildlife diversity projects. However, Department staff must develop funding proposals for priority projects and compete with other natural resource agencies for funding. Sales of Outdoor Heritage Fund lottery tickets have fluctuated, but income generated to the Fund was lower and competition was greater for Outdoor Heritage funds in 2003. Fifteen percent of the revenues are dedicated to Endangered & Threatened species projects. This important new source of funding is benefiting many nongame, Endangered & Threatened species but again the funds available have been declining.

Other sources of funding These are not the only funds that have supported Maine's Nongame and Endangered Species program. Many people are unaware of the contribution hunters and trappers have made. Many of the salaries, and most of the administrative costs of the Wildlife Division, are funded by hunting and trapping license revenues, which are matched by federal Pittman-Robertson Funds (based on an excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment). Also, you may be surprised to know that many of the financial supporters of the Endangered and Threatened species programs are also sportsmen who are committed to the conservation of all Maine's wildlife. However, Maine's wildlife belongs to all of the people of the state, and sportsmen's dollars can't be expected to do it all.

How can all of Maine citizens contribute to this important work? Maine's Legislature passed legislation providing for 18% of the Department's budget to come from the General Fund. If these funds are made available, it will help with the implementation of nongame programs. However, no general fund monies have been provided to the Department as a result of this legislation in the current biennium (July 1, 2003-June 30, 2005). This funding for the next biennium (July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2007) will come before the Legislature in the upcoming budget negotiations. Other funding options to benefit nongame have been considered but not yet implemented. In 2000, after studying the funding dilemma, a legislative study committee proposed that a portion of Maine's sales tax be dedicated to the Department. Their recommendation was based on solutions other states developed, such as Missouri, who faced a similar financial dilemma and found the solution in their state sales tax. Convinced that the state's fish and wildlife resources are the responsibility, and are for the benefit, of all citizens of the state of Missouri, they chose to earmark one-eighth of one percent of their state sales tax to help conserve the state's forest, fish, and wildlife resources. This has allowed Missouri's natural resource divisions to become some of the most dynamic and responsive agencies in the country. Do you think Missouri's approach could work in Maine?

Work is being accomplished with limited funding Funding from the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund has been used for a variety of projects over the years. Here is a short list of the projects representative of the important work being accomplished with partial funding from the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund. Our staff also spends considerable time developing proposals to solicit funding from other sources to support these and other projects.

* Collaborative work continues on the award winning Beginning With Habitat Project, a habitat-based model to help towns proactively create a vision for their future that includes maintaining a landscape to support all wildlife 100 years from now. This project provides comprehensive wildlife habitat data to municipalities and land trusts, along with information to help guide conservation of valuable habitats. Partners include Maine Natural Areas Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Audubon, and other organizations.

* Research efforts are greatly expanding our knowledge and understanding of Canada lynx in Maine and providing significant data to help us better understand the population status, movements, and habitat preferences of this federally threatened species.

* IF&W biologists have conducted studies to quantify mercury exposure and assess risk to sparrows and swallows breeding in Maine salt marshes.

* Over 345 bald eagle nesting sites are being monitored to assess eagle nesting success, the number of young eaglets fledged, and statewide population trends.

* The coastline from Kittery to Eastport is being surveyed to document the diversity and status of migratory shorebird populations.

* Research has been conducted on the New England cottontail in southern Maine. This species has limited distribution and is Maine's native cottontail.

* Radio-transmitters have been attached to wood turtles (a species of special concern), spotted turtles Threatened), and Blanding's turtles (Endangered) - three of Maine's rarest reptiles - to collect information on movements and habitat preferences. * A statewide, atlas and conservation assessment of Maine's 165 colorful species of damselflies and dragonflies is being coordinated using volunteer participation by citizen scientists.

* Rare salt-marsh sparrows have been studied (using tiny radio-transmitters) to learn more about their behavior, nesting success, home range, and habitat use.

* Studies of wintering populations of Harlequin ducks, a Threatened species, and Barrow's goldeneye, a species of special concern, are being conducted to understand their status in Maine.

* Nighttime volunteer surveys of Maine's owls are being coordinated along 146 routes statewide each year.

* Work continues to identify nationally significant "Important Bird Areas" in Maine and work cooperatively with landowners to maintain them in bird-friendly habitat.

* Data are being collected annually to protect nests of the Endangered roseate tern, piping plover and least tern along the coast of Maine, and to aid in their management and recovery.

* University of Maine graduate students and Nokomis High School students are surveying and studying black terns, an Endangered species nesting in freshwater marshes in central and eastern Maine.

What can you do to help?? Given our limited resources, Maine can be proud of the accomplishments made for nongame and Endangered & Threatened wildlife in the last 20 years. We thank those of you who buy a Loon Plate, participate in the Chickadee checkoff, or purchase a Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund lottery ticket. Your voluntary support and generosity deserves special "thank you". Our success is also attributed to our many willing partners and cooperating organizations, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Maine Audubon Society, University of Maine, The Nature Conservancy, and the Maine Natural Areas Program (Maine Department of Conservation). The entire Wildlife Division and every bureau of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are deeply committed to and involved in nongame, Threatened & Endangered species conservation. We are all working hard to keep Maine a special place. As you read this, take pride in your accomplishments - and please, as you fill out your tax return next year or register your car, join with us again in conserving Maine's wildlife diversity!

George Matula, Endangered and Threatened Species Coordinator Richard Dressler, Wildlife Resource Assessment Section Supervisor

Other contributors include Wildlife Resource Assessment Section staff assigned to Nongame, Endangered and Threatened Species projects listed above: Phillip deMaynadier, Wildlife Biologist Beth Swartz, Wildlife Biologist Charlie Todd, Wildlife Biologist Brad Allen, Wildlife Biologist Tom Hodgman, Wildlife Biologist Lindsay Tudor, Wildlife Biologist Wally Jakubas, Wildlife Biologist Jennifer Vashon, Wildlife Biologist Karen Morris, Wildlife Biologist Don Katnik, Wildlife Biologist Amy Meehan, Wildlife Biologist MaryEllen Wickett, Wildlife Biologist

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