| You Can Help Maine's Wildlife This Season AUGUSTA, Maine -- Maine citizens care deeply about Maine's rich fish and wildlife tradition, but what most don't realize is that protection and management of some of Maine's most vulnerable animals are supported solely through voluntary contributions by people like you. Maine's Chickadee Checkoff is a simple way to support research and protection of Maine's most vulnerable species. It's fast, it's easy, and your contribution goes a long way towards protecting Maine's wildlife. Over the years, the Chickadee Check-off has helped projects directed at conserving a number of species, including bald eagles, peregrine falcons, piping plovers, great blue herons, Canada lynx, several species of bats, New England cottontail, Blanding's turtles and several rare freshwater mussels. Funds from the Check-Off have also aided citizen science projects like the Maine Butterfly Survey, Maine's Bumble Bee Atlas and the Maine Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project. Federal funding for research and recovery efforts is only accessible to Maine with matching state money. These state dollars typically come from voluntary sources such as the Loon conservation license plate and the Chickadee Check-off on this state income-tax form. These funds can double or triple the amount of money available for the conservation of these species. You can also help out Maine's threatened and endangered wildlife by purchasing the department's newest endangered species poster, with all proceeds going to the Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund for endangered and threatened species (E/T) recovery in Maine. This beautiful new poster depicts the 51 native fish and wildlife species endangered or threatened in Maine. There is identification key, plus additional habitat and background information about each species on the back of the poster. 
You can purchase a poster for only $4.00, or you can get a 15-ounce ceramic mug of the poster for $6.00, or a 4.5" X 7.5" heavy-duty magnet for $2.00. Your support by purchasing a poster, mug, or magnet, or contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff goes even further, as it generates between $2.00 and $9.00 of additional federal matching funds. This tax season, make your mark in helping Maine's threatened and endangered wildlife by purchasing a poster or mug, or by using the Chickadee Checkoff on Schedule CP of your tax form. -30- | 
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