Ohio's natural areas and endangered wildlife income tax checkoff programs have fostered the return of bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and trumpeter swans to the state's skies. Donations made through the state income tax form help ODNR protect natural areas and scenic rivers, reintroduce endangered wildlife and preserve wetland habitat.

What your Donations do:

Donate to Nature Preserves

You may donate all or part of your Ohio income tax refund by choosing “State nature preserves” your Ohio tax form. Contributions made on your tax return are considered deductible charitable donations.

Donations can also be made easily through personal tax preparation software or with your professional tax advisor.

If you aren't getting a refund, you can make a direct contribution:

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
2045 Morse Road, Bldg. A
Columbus, OH 43229

The Natural Areas Tax Refund Program was established by state legislation enacted in 1983, creating a system that allows Ohioans to contribute their state income tax refund to the ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves. 100% of your donation goes directly to Ohio State Nature Preserves, and donations are used to:

• Protect Ohio’s lands and waters through the purchase of new natural areas
• Ensure access to these areas for the education, recreation, and enjoyment of all Ohioans – thereby supporting a good quality of life within Ohio’s communities
• Protect endangered species
• Preserve places where families can safely play, learn, and just enjoy the quiet and peace of nature.
• Leave a legacy of Ohio’s natural beauty for future generations

We need to protect our natural areas together - please join us in saving Ohio’s prairies, forests, and wetlands.

Accomplishments

Since its inception more than 30 years ago, the Natural Areas Tax Checkoff program has received widespread public support. Over two million donations have been made to the Natural Areas Fund, providing nearly $16 million for natural land conservation and management.

Checkoff donations have enabled the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves to acquire new nature preserves and add critical additions to existing preserves, construct trails and boardwalks, improve parking and signage and allow for greater public access to a treasure trove of nature’s wonders available in Ohio. Additionally, donations support critical ecological management activities, including efforts to remove non-native and invasive species that pose a serious and ever-growing threat to sensitive habitats.

Donate to Wildlife

You may donate all or part of your Ohio income tax refund by selecting “Ohio Wildlife” your Ohio tax form. Contributions made on your tax return are considered deductible charitable donations.

Donations can also be made easily through personal tax preparation software or with your professional tax advisor.

If you aren't getting a refund, you can make a direct contribution:

Wildlife Central Office
2045 Morse Road Building G-1
Columbus, OH 43229-6693Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Accomplishments

The money that taxpayers donate to the Division of Wildlife through the tax checkoff has been the primary means of support for the management, research, education, and land acquisition programs conducted by the Division of Wildlife to benefit endangered and threatened wildlife and other species of interest. Collectively, these groups of species are known as wildlife diversity. Notable recent accomplishments enabled by tax checkoff funds include tracking and documenting black bear and bobcat populations, karner blue butterfly reintroduction, sandhill crane radiotracking, osprey restoration, and much more.