| DEP ANNOUNCES
"DRIVE CONSERVATION HOME" CAMPAIGN
Promotes Sale of "Conserve
Wildlife" License Plates to Fund Endangered Species Program
(05/38) TRENTON -- New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today unveiled
a new "Drive Conservation Home" campaign to raise awareness
of New Jersey's threatened and endangered species and to promote
sales of the specialty license plates that help fund DEP's management
and protection of these species.
"Our wildlife biologists have made New Jersey a national
leader in bringing threatened species back from the brink of extinction,"
said Commissioner Campbell. "This campaign enlists residents
in the effort to protect New Jersey's wildlife, which they can
do simply by purchasing a 'Conserve Wildlife' license plate."
The new campaign features public service announcements delivered
through radio, television and posters. It is being sponsored through
a public-private partnership led by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation
of NJ, the private, not-for-profit group that raises funds for
DEP's endangered species programs.
Joining the Commissioner at today's announcement was Deputy Chief
Administrator Shawn Sheekey of the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC),
which oversees the state's specialty license plate programs and
the state's centralized inspection facilities. The campaign's
posters will be displayed at inspection stations statewide.
"MVC is pleased to play a part in supporting wildlife conservation
programs in New Jersey," Administrator Sheekey said. "Our
specialty plates help motorists play their part, too, whether
by helping to conserve wildlife or helping to advance the goals
of more than a dozen other fine New Jersey causes that are supported
in part by specialty license plate sales."
DEP's Endangered and Nongame Species Program depends on the direct
support of citizens, as it receives no dedicated state funding
to support its conservation work. Funding comes from the state
income tax check-off, foundation grants, corporate support, and
individual donations.
The Conserve Wildlife license plate continues to be the major
source of program revenue, however. Four out of every five dollars
from each $50 purchase goes directly toward endangered species
conservation. The remaining money goes to MVC's administration
of the program. Last year, sales of the plate generated almost
$200,000 for programs that restore wild animal populations, protect
wildlife habitat, and produce cutting edge endangered species
research.
Further information about the Conserve Wildlife license plate
and the programs that it funds is available at http://www.njwildlifeplate.org.
A copy of the campaign poster will soon be available at the site
as well.
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