For the Massachusetts contingent on the list: The MA Natural Heritage &
Endangered Species Program is instrumental in our mechanism for protecting
vernal pools. There is currently an eight-month backlog on getting vernal
pool certifications processed because of the funding challenges the
organization faces, constantly. Please read the post below, and consider
dropping some coin on this important agency.
******
A critical part of the funding equation for the MA Natural Heritage &
Endangered Species Program are your voluntary contributions on
your MA state income tax form. If you care about the future of our
wildlife and wild places, please consider making a crucial donation.
Currently, there is no line item in the state budget to support the
NHESP. While a small portion of the operational budget of this
program comes from fees and limited federal aid, the bulk of the
support for this program comes from your tax checkoff contributions.
Alarmingly, contributions to NHESP are down. In 1992, 57,433 filers
contributed $283,671. In 2009 (the most recent year with up-to-
date figures), only 18,916 contributed $199,089!
You can donate when filing your state income tax by entering an
amount on Line 32a: "Endangered Wildlife Conservation". Ask
your tax preparer, if you use one, to do this.
To learn more about rare and endangered species conservation, visit
www.mass.gov/masswildlife (click on Natural Heritage). Scroll down
to "Support us" for more information on the tax checkoff and making
a contribution. If you have already filed your taxes, it is not too late
to make a contribution directly!
Thanks to Marion Larson of MassWildlife for this information.
Join me and spread the word. Tell a friend or neighbor about this
program and its important work. Share this information with your
local bird clubs and other community groups.
Please contribute generously and support this worthwhile program!
Together, let's turn this trend around!
Barbara Volkle, moderator MASSBIRD
Northborough, MA
barb620@theworld.com
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