Moose License Plates Now Available

CONCORD, N.H. - Starting next week (December 1, 2000), New Hampshire motorists can show their thankfulness for the state's natural and cultural environment by getting a conservation license plate. The plates go on sale December 1 and bear the image of a bull moose created by Plaistow artist Jim Collins.

Sales of the conservation plate benefit state wildlife and historic conservation programs. The revenues will be used to conserve land, restore historic buildings, plant wildflowers, implement local resource conservation plans, and survey rare plants and animals.

"For me, and I believe for most of our citizens, what makes New Hampshire such a special place to live is its unique character - our farms and forests, our historic mill buildings and village greens," said Gov. Jeanne Shaheen. "So it is fitting that our first-ever ongoing special license plate is dedicated to helping preserve our natural and cultural resources. By buying these license plates, New Hampshire citizens can make a firsthand investment in protecting our state's natural and cultural heritage."

The moose plate costs $30, plus a one-time additional fee of $5 for the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It's available at 13 DMV offices, as well as 13 municipal offices throughout the state that are on-line with the division (listed below).

Looking for a perfect holiday or birthday gift? Give a gift certificate for the moose plate. Certificates are available at the 13 DMV offices and on-line municipal offices. The certificates are available, along with more information, at www.mooseplate.com. The conservation plate is also available when you register your vehicle during your birthday month, or if it's a new car, at the time of sale.

Sales of the plate will raise money for programs that protect the state's natural and cultural heritage. Examples of projects include:

The Division of Parks and Recreation will be able to fix the roof on the Robert Frost Farm, or install climate control equipment at the Franklin Pierce Homestead in Hillsboro.

The N.H. Natural Heritage Inventory will be able to control an invasive plant that's threatening populations of another plant, the extremely rare Jessup's milk vetch growing near the Connecticut River.

The N.H. Fish and Game Department's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program will invest in planting important food and nectar sources for the endangered Karner blue butterfly and improve captive rearing facilities. These steps, along with habitat work, may help bring the butterfly back from the brink of extinction in the state.

The N.H. Department of Cultural Affairs will be able to assist communities in protecting and restoring historic properties. The town of Lempster, for instance, needs help stabilizing the foundation of its historic meetinghouse.

The N.H. Department of Transportation will be able to beautify our roadways by planting wildlflowers.

The State Conservation Committee will be able to help counties and municipalities with grants to protect, restore and enhance natural resources and foster a conservation ethic through this partnership.

The newly created Land and Community Heritage Investment Program will have funds to help launch and run its efforts to protect the state's historic and natural places.

Promotional efforts for the conservation plate have begun in earnest, thanks to the efforts of the Citizens for New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the agencies involved. The Portsmouth advertising firm of Barradas, Yeaton & Wold has generously donated time and talent to produce an attractive ad campaign for radio, newspapers and magazines. Several prominent New Hampshire photographers have donated their photographs for the ad ampaign, including Alan Briere, James Garvin, William Johnson, and Marcy and Jerry Monkman.

Another firm, Peromyscus of Portsmouth, developed a website for the conservation plate: www.mooseplate.com. The web site has lots of information about how to get the plate and how it helps the state. You can also visit the NH Fish & Game Department's page for more information.