Share with wildlife by making a refund donation to the Wildlife Diversity Program when you pay your state taxes this year. It’s a two-step process.

Just mark line, then go to schedule 511-H to complete your donation.

The state tax check-off is an easy and important way for Oklahomans to show they care about wildlife, said Ron Suttles, natural resources coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

For the past 19 years, the Wildlife Diversity Program has relied on the support of Oklahomans who donate a portion of their tax refund.

By sharing your refund, you help protect our state’s biological diversity, Suttles said.

The Program funds and performs surveys of rare and endangered species like the Texas horned lizard, or horny toad, and declining species in the High Plains of western Oklahoma. It monitors the state’s largest Mexican free-tailed bat colony and is working with partners to aid approximately 400 species of songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and water birds.

The Program helps people connect with wildlife through the Winter Bird Survey, Eagle Watches and the Selman Bat Watch. It produces a variety of wildlife-related brochures and guides like the Landscaping for Wildlife book and helps establish new places and opportunities for the public to enjoy wildlife.

To help fund activities like these, make a refund donation on line 34 from line 1 of schedule 511-H of your state tax form this year, or have your tax preparer do so for you. For questions regarding your donation to the Wildlife Diversity Program call the Oklahoma Tax Commission at (800) 522-8165, ext: 13160.

Direct donations can also be made to: Wildlife Diversity Program, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, OKC, OK 73152.

Another way to support the state’s wildlife and the Wildlife Diversity Program is to purchase a $35 Wildlife Conservation License Plate. Five wildlife designs are available at your local tag agent.

The Wildlife Department is funded by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, federal excise taxes placed on hunting and fishing equipment and by private donations. The Department does not receive any general state tax appropriations.

Contact the Wildlife Diversity Program at (405) 521-4616 for more information about any of these activities or products, or visit the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

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