Money from Maine’s conservation license plates, commonly called loon plates, is an important source of revenue for state wildlife and land management agencies. With declining sales of the plates, however, there is less money to fund repairs and upgrades at state parks and to monitor endangered species. The state needs to look for ways to boost interest in the plates while generating more revenue. Offering new designs and boosting the cost of the plates are a couple of options.

The loon plates were first offered in 1995. Then, they were an attractive alternative to the state’s standard-issue lobster plates, which featured a boiled version of the crustacean. When the chickadee, which coincidentally was drawn by the same artist as the loon, Mark McCollough of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, replaced the lobster in 2000, sales of loon plates dropped 20 percent.

The popularity of affinity plates, such as the University of Maine and lobster promotion version, shows that niche marketing and a variety of choices appeals to people.

One possibility is offering several conservation plates to choose from. Options could include iconic Maine animals such a moose or black bear and scenic Maine parks or historic sites such as Fort Knox, Two Lights or Rangeley Lake. Introducing a new design – some of the loon plates dating from 1995 are no doubt wearing out – will spur interest.

Conservation plates now cost $20 the first year and $15 for renewals. These fees could be raised to generate needed revenue. Any increase, however, would have to go through the Legislature, which would inevitably lead to debates over how the state funds wildlife and land management generally.

Loon plates are an important source of funds for nongame wildlife management and state park maintenance. The revenue from the plates, which has totaled more than $13 million since 1995, is split between the Departments of Conservation and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The money supports maintenance and upgrades at state parks and historic sites and surveys and recovery plans for threatened and endangered species.

More than 75,000 vehicles have conservation plates. Occupants of those vehicles will be admitted free today and tomorrow to state parks or historic sites for day use.

Free park admission is a nice “thank you” to those who have stuck with the loon, but more needs to be done to boost interest in the conservation plates.