Bald Eagle Protection Act turns 85

This year marks the 85th anniversary of the Bald Eagle Protection Act.

The act prohibits the taking, possessing, selling or purchasing of bald eagles, their nests and their eggs. 

Since 1940, bald eagles were listed as endangered, then through a combination of further state legislation and support from the public to protect eagles, they have recovered in every county in Wisconsin. By 1997, bald eagles were removed from the Wisconsin endangered species list. 

The DNR is offering an Endangered Resources license plate for purchase. The DNR says that the revenues from the plate sales, along with tax form donations and state matching funds, account for up to 40% of funding for endangered species conservation.