​Wild Resources Conservation Program

The Wild Resources Conservation Fund was created in 1982 to among other things, aid in the conservation of the commonwealth’s flora and non-game fauna.

It set up the ability for citizens to support the management of wild resources by creating a contribution opportunity through a tax check-off and license plate program, furthering management and conservation. 

Each year, these funds support the survey, research, management, and conservation of wild resources through DCNR’s Wild Resource Conservation Program (WRCP). 

WRCP identifies research and conservation needs on the commonwealth’s native flora and non-game wildlife. The program provides grants and facilitates the flow of information between researchers, conservationists, and educators.

For more than 30 years, WRCP has helped to:

• Develop County Natural Heritage Inventories that locate and identify rare species and special habitats in all 67 Pennsylvania counties
• Identify species most at risk from climate change
• Reintroduce river otters and osprey to the commonwealth
• Understand management needs for rare plants and animals, including species like American ginseng and Hellbenders

Support WRCP

The Wild Resource Conservation Program relies on the generosity of people like you to carry out the important work of conserving biodiversity. The program receives no funding from the Pennsylvania state budget. The following are ways you can support the work of WRCP.

Otter License Plate

Show your support every time you drive. Purchase a river otter license plate from PennDOT and $15 will go to WRCP.

Income Tax Refund Checkoff

When filing your Pennsylvania income taxes, donate all or part of your refund to WRCP to help protect plants and non-game wildlife.

Donate to WRCP

To contribute to the fund, mail a check payable to:

Wild Resource Conservation Program
Bureau of Forestry
400 Market Street, 6th floor
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8552