August-September 2021 • Nebraskaland 45
partially funded by the Wildlife
Conservation Fund," Dunn said. "It
provides support that allows these
projects to happen."
The fund also is helping uncover
the secrets of another species, the
northern saw-whet owl, which is listed
as a "critically imperiled" species in
Nebraska. Starting in the fall of 2019,
Game and Parks biologists captured,
banded and released more than 20
saw-whet owls, hoping to determine
whether saw-whets migrate in the
eastern part of the state.
"We determined that, while still rare,
this species does in fact move through
eastern Nebraska during a short time
frame in late autumn," nongame
bird biologist Stephen Brenner said.
"These banding efforts, supported
by the Wildlife Conservation Fund,
greatly expand our knowledge of this
species in the state."
Seeing donations come into the
Wildlife Conservation Fund "really
impacts me on a personal level,"
Panella said, "because I realize that the
person cares deeply about the issue.
They care about Nebraska's fish and
wildlife; they want to see threatened
and endangered species recover."
And if people didn't care, Panella
said, those species could be lost. "It
goes beyond just the dollars," she
said. "By people making that decision
to give a donation to the Nebraska
Wildlife Conservation Fund, they're
becoming part of something bigger in
our state."
N
Banding efforts, supported by the fund, have greatly expanded our
knowledge of the northern saw-whet owl.
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
The fund is supporting efforts to
protect monarch butterflies.
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
How to Give to the Fund
Buy a license plate: Show your conservation pride by buying
one of three new Nebraska license plate designs that benefit
the Wildlife Conservation Fund. The new plates, which became
available Jan. 1, feature a bighorn sheep, sandhill crane and
ornate box turtle. Each plate is $5 or $40 for a specialty plate.
On your Nebraska tax form: You may choose to donate all or a
portion of your tax refund to the Wildlife Conservation Fund when
you complete your taxes.
By check: Checks made payable to the Nebraska Wildlife
Conservation Fund may be sent to:
Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
P.O. Box 30370
2200 N. 33rd St.
Lincoln, NE 68503
Online: You can always make a donation
to the Wildlife Conservation Fund through
NebraskaWildlifeFund.org.
