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Common Loon - Get a loon plate
Minnesota's state bird, the common loon, is more at home in water than on land and serves as a symbol of the natural resources Minnesotans consider important – clean air and water. The loon's haunting and beautiful calls can captivate even the most casual outdoor enthusiast. Occurring from the Canadian border south to the Twin Cities, Minnesota has more loons than any other state in the U.S. except Alaska. Funds derived from the sale of critical habitat license plates are used by the Department of Natural Resources' Nongame Wildlife Program to help protect and manage loons and other wetland wildlife.
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Chickadees - Get a Chickadee plate
The black capped chickadee was voted as Minnesota's favorite bird in a contest sponsored by the DNR's Nongame Wildlife Program. There are many qualities that endear this little bird to Minnesotans. It is a constant companion in forests, backyards, and woodlots throughout the state as it chirps its familiar "chicka-dee-dee-dee" call. Even on the coldest days of winter, when other birds have moved on to warmer climates, the hardy little chickadee is still visiting backyard feeders for suet and sunflower seeds.
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Showy Lady Slipper - Get a Lady Slipper plate
Minnesota's state flower, the Showy Ladyslipper, is a showstopper among our native wildflowers. It is one of Minnesota's 43 native orchids and it is probably the most well known. With its large but delicate pink and white blossoms, many flower enthusiasts consider it the most beautiful of all flowers in Minnesota. Minnesota's critical habitat matching fund can help preserve habitats that include the Showy Ladyslipper. The use of the Showy Ladyslipper as a new conservation license plate design is a reminder that the Department of Natural Resources is dedicated to preserving the state's biodiversity and to managing natural habitats for all of Minnesota's wildlife and native plants.
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Fishing - Get a fishing plate
Fishing attracts 1.4 million licensed anglers to Minnesota's 11,842 lakes every year and one out of every five Minnesotans fish. Minnesota ranks fourth among states with the highest number of anglers, boasting the largest percent of resident anglers at 28 percent. In Minnesota fishing creates 43,812 jobs and generates $350 million in federal tax revenues and $342 million in state and local tax revenues, according to ASA's Sportfishing in America Survey.
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White-tailed deer - Get a new deer plate
White-tailed deer are Minnesota's most abundant and popular big game animal. With a population approaching one million, Minnesota whitetails can be found near river bottoms and farm woodlots in agricultural areas, and in aspen/birch forests of the north. An important part of maintaining high deer populations is providing proper habitat, which the DNR purchases with funds from the Critical Habitat License Plates.
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Previous White-tailed deer - Get the classic plate
The previous White-tailed deer plate will be available until supplies run out. This plate currently adorns about 30,000 Minnesota vehicles.
