Wildlife plates

As an unapologetic advocate for the outdoors, I should have signed up for custom license plates as soon as the Conservation option was available. I am more than happy to donate to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, but paying any additional money to the state Department of Revenue is not really my style. Then Missouri came out with our new Bicentennial Edition license plates, and while I hate to cast aspersions on the individual responsible for the design, there had to be a whole committee of people who looked at them and said, “Yeah, that’s the best we can do.” Maybe on a 25-inch computer monitor or in a PowerPoint presentation with slide show explanation, the components all come together nicely. On a car bumper, even sitting still, they leave a lot to be desired. Trying to figure any of it out at 55 mph is a lost cause.

The bluebird, buck and bald eagle are options for Missouri residents looking to show their support for conservation and pride in their home state. UH, WHICH STATE?

Red, white and blue is a reasonable color scheme for our 18212021 bicentennial celebration, but everything else in the display fails to deliver. Apparently the wavy lines at the top and bottom symbolize the rivers that have been a vital part of our state for all 200 years.

The official seal of the state of Missouri as the main artwork faded in the background replaced the outline of the state on the old license plates. There is no way anyone other than a few state scholars would recognize it, and because of its subtle appearance, there is no way to tell which of the 50 official state seals it might be without microscopic inspection.

But the worst part of the new design, which I suspect we will have to live with for the next 10 years or so, is the size of the print for the word Missouri. Take a look at any other state’s license plate and the name stands out prominently. It’s like they’re proud of where they’re from.

A CONSERVATION RESCUE

Fortunately, well-known wildlife artist Al Agnew and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation have offered a solution. New designs for specialty plates were revealed in 2020, using images of a bluebird, bald eagle and white-tailed deer that Agnew created and donated.

“The idea for my art to be on the license plates came about years ago via my long-standing relationship with the Missouri Department of Conservation,” Agnew said. “One of their employees eventually went on to head the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, and he contacted us to see if we would be interested in working with them on a wildlife license plate.”

With a long history of support for conservation issues, Agnew and his wife, Mary (Wolk) Agnew of Ste. Genevieve County donated rights to the images to the foundation as another way to offer financial support to the natural resources of the state.

“Over the years, I am proud to say that my artwork has garnered over $5 million for conservation projects across the U.S. and Canada,” Agnew said. “Why not have some of those funds stay within the state of Missouri?”

IT JUST TAKES $25

A minimum $25 annual contribution to the state’s conservation heritage fund is required to order the specialty license plates. If you want to get two-year plates the donation is $50.

The foundation helps fund natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation. The group is separate from the Department of Conservation but does provide financial assistance to projects that protect forests, streams and wildlife resources.

“I have been very fortunate to get to travel the U.S. extensively during my career and have worked with conservation agencies in many states,” Agnew said. “Without a doubt, Missouri has the best in the U.S. Anything we can do to help support conservation efforts in our home state, we are in.” Al Agnew adorned state plates.

Following a donation to the foundation, those seeking specialty plates receive an Emblem Use Authorization (EUA) form to submit to the local license office. The EUA can be received anywhere conservation department permits are sold, including online, over the phone, by mail and from any licensed vendor such as sporting goods stores or conservation department offices.

The specialty license plate form is available online from the state Department of Revenue or from the local license office. After completing the forms, they are mailed to the state along with the EUA and $15.

EXPIRING IN JULY

Conservation plates can be ordered at any time, but all specialty license plates in Missouri expire in July. For more information visit mochf.org or call the Conservation Heritage Foundation at (573) 634-2080 or (800) 227-1488.

The three Agnew images on the new Missouri Conservation license plates first appeared on larger original works of art. Original paintings and fine art prints by Agnew can be found on his website, www.alagnew.com.

“The bluebird was called ‘Fencepost Blue.’ The whitetail is from a painting called ‘In the Open’ and the eagle is ‘Illumination,’ ” Agnew noted.

The deer, bluebird and eagle artwork is outstanding, and as a nice touch, you can read the state name on your license plates.

John J. Winkelman is director of marketing and sales at Liguori Publications. If you have news for Outdoor Guide Magazine, email ogmjohnw@aol.com and you can follow John on Twitter at @johnjwink99.

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