Support Ohio’s Wildlife, State Nature Preserves, and Scenic Rivers with Tax Donations

Story and photos courtesy of ODNR

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- This tax season, when Ohioans check the Wildlife Diversity or Nature Preserves and Scenic Rivers funds on their state income tax form, they’re supporting the protection of Ohio’s endangered plants, animals, healthy streams, and unique ecosystems. Donations are administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

The Wildlife Diversity Fund, managed by ODNR’s Division of Wildlife, relies primarily on donations to support the restoration of Ohio’s species of greatest conservation need. In the past, tax donations to the Wildlife Diversity Fund supported projects to restore freshwater mussel, eastern hellbender, monarch butterfly, and lake sturgeon populations. Donations also fund free informational field guides, posters, and educational exhibits.

The Wildlife Diversity Fund supports the restoration of Ohio species such as the bald eagle.

Another species that benefits from donations to the Wildlife Diversity Fund is the bald eagle. The Division of Wildlife, in partnership with zoos, universities, and other conservation organizations, helped bring the bald eagle back from a low of just four nesting pairs in Ohio in 1979 to 964 active nests in 2025. Now abundant statewide, eagles are proof of Ohio's improved water quality and increased wetland habitat in recent decades. The Division of Wildlife relies on the Wildlife Diversity Fund for continued habitat work that benefits bald eagles and other species, as well as ongoing monitoring of Ohio's nesting eagles. 

Donations to the Nature Preserves and Scenic Rivers Fund have supported critical conservation work to protect exceptional habitats including high-quality forests, prairies, wetlands, and streamside habitats. These habitats support thousands of native plant and wildlife species, some so rare they are only found within Ohio’s 154 state nature preserves or 17 state scenic rivers.

An exceptional wetland complex in Jackson County, Baker Swamp State Nature Preserve protects a significant button bush swamp as well as six state-listed plants including lance-leaved violet, running buffalo clover, and Virginia meadow-beauty.

With assistance from donations, the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves added seven new state nature preserves in 2025 and additional land adjacent to established sites. These new areas permanently protect a range of rare habitats including remarkable sand dunes in the Oak Openings Region, high quality wetlands, and geologic features such as sandstone cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Each protected site harbors an incredible diversity of native plants and animals including uncommon species. 

Supported by donations to the Nature Preserves and Scenic Rivers Fund, a new pedestrian bridge was installed at Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve which resulted in reopening an area of the preserve closed for years.

The Division of Natural Areas and Preserves also uses state income tax donations to enhance public facilities so that visitors of all abilities may discover the wonders of Ohio’s natural world. In the past year, funding supported a new pedestrian bridge at Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve in northeast Ohio and resulted in reopening an area of the preserve closed for nearly 10 years. In southern Ohio, donations purchased the supplies needed for staff to build a new staircase which was the only way visitors could access Shoemaker State Nature Preserve.

Most recently, the division broke ground on a new trail project at Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve in west central Ohio. The project, supported by the Nature Preserves and Scenic Rivers Fund, will make a portion of the popular Rim Trail fully accessible to all. Currently, the trail is narrow and difficult to navigate, but when the new trail opens it will be accessible for all visitors.

By making a tax donation to either the Wildlife Diversity Fund or Nature Preserves and Scenic Rivers Fund, Ohioans are helping to ensure the future of Ohio’s diverse ecosystems. Individuals may donate all or part of their state income tax refund by entering a dollar amount for Nature Preserves/Scenic Rivers on line 25a or Wildlife Species on life 25d of the 2025 IT 1049 tax form. Contributions made on the 2025 tax form and filed in 2026 are considered deductible donations made in 2026. 

For more information on the ODNR Division of Wildlife and the Wildlife Diversity Fund, visit the wildlife conservation donation web page. For more information on the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves or how to donate to Ohio’s state nature preserves and scenic rivers, visit the natural areas and preserves donation.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

More News from Lebanon

• Sycamore Presbyterian Church to Offer its Latest FREE Workshop: “The Mess Mender Series” Helps Individuals Organize Thoughts and Things
• It's Soup Weather Tomato-Basil Soup easy to make and taste great.