Cranes of Wisconsin license plates are now available to order from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Wisconsin artist Jay Jocham designed the license plate. It features two species of cranes native to North America. These cranes are the Sandhill Crane and the Endangered Whooping Crane.
“We are very pleased that Whooping and Sandhill Cranes will now grace roadways all around the state and country,” said Dr. Rich Beilfuss, President and CEO of the International Crane Foundation. “Not only does this new license plate directly support our important work financially, but its high visibility will also ensure more people have the opportunity to learn about these birds and the habitats upon which they rely.”
For each plate and subsequent annual registration, the International Crane Foundation will receive a tax-deductible donation of $25. The license plate funds will support two of the Foundation’s key projects in Wisconsin. These efforts focus on reintroducing the Endangered Whooping Crane. They also address crop damage caused by Sandhill Cranes.
The International Crane Foundation has worked in Wisconsin’s agricultural communities for three decades to resolve the issue of crop damage by cranes. The Foundation was instrumental in field-testing to prove the effectiveness of Avipel seed treatment, a non-toxic deterrent that prevents cranes from consuming freshly-planted corn seed. Though the treatment has been available to farmers since 2006, the cost remains a significant hurdle to its widespread use.
“The issue of crop damage by cranes is one of great importance here in Wisconsin,” Beilfuss added. “Our Wisconsin team is working hard to ensure that farmers get the help they need. This Cranes of Wisconsin license plate will further that mission.”
The license plate can be ordered directly from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
