Wild Ohio Elk Conservation License Plate Campaign  

 

Reintroduce a Living Legacy of Ohio’s Wild and Natural Heritage. There was a time when the unmistakable call of wild elk echoed across the State of Ohio.  These magnificent animals were once a living presence across Ohio’s natural landscape, but habitat loss and historic hunting pressures eventually caused elk to disappear from the state during the 1800s.

Today, Ohio has an opportunity to explore something extraordinary: bringing wild elk home. 

The Wild Ohio Elk Conservation License Plate Initiative is a citizen-led effort to build public support for the responsible and ethical science-based research, potential reintroduction, and potentially future conservation of wild elk in Ohio—and to establish a Specialty Ohio BMV License Plate Supported by the State of Ohio that could help generate dedicated financial support for elk conservation in the State of Ohio. 

 Imagine seeing a Wild Ohio Elk Conservation Specialty BMV License Plate Supported by the State of Ohio displaying the image of a wild elk—not simply as artwork, but as a symbol traveling thousands of miles across our state and country declaring: 

Ohio believes its wild heritage is worth conserving. 

 Every participating vehicle could become an ambassador for conservation. Every plate could help raise awareness. And the additional funds generated through the Wild Ohio Elk Conservation Specialty BMV License Plate could create an opportunity to support - responsible and ethical - habitat conservation, science-based wildlife research, education, wildlife and natural resources management, and future efforts associated with reintroducing and conserving wild elk to Ohio for a Legacy to be experienced and remembered once again, forever.  

 

The Opportunity Is Bigger Than Wild Elk in Ohio

Conservation reaches far beyond protecting a single species.  Healthy landscapes support wildlife, forests, watersheds, agriculture, outdoor recreation, and the communities that depend upon them. The return of wild elk to our home - the State of Ohio - could also create new opportunities for wildlife tourism, photography, outdoor recreation, conservation education, and rural economic development as people travel to experience one of North America’s most magnificent animals living wild in the State of Ohio. 

Our vision is therefore not simply about reintroducing an animal back into the State of Ohio.  It is about reintroducing a living experience into the State of Ohio's Wildlife and Natural Resources Experience – one that future generations can see, hear, experience, and conserve, forever.  It is about responsibly and ethically conserving the State of Ohio Wildlife and Natural Resources.   It is about strengthening the communities in the State of Ohio.  And it is about ensuring that future generations inherit something extraordinary instead of merely reading about what Ohio once had. 

The WOEC community supports exploring reintroduction and conservation – responsibly and ethically —including serious consideration of habitat suitability, agriculture development and sustainability, roadway safety, ecological impacts, population management, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), and long-term conservation.  That means pursuing reintroduction through responsible and ethical science-based wildlife management, responsible planning, and collaboration among citizens, landowners, conservationists, wildlife professionals, lawmakers, corporations, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the State of Ohio. 

Ohioans and the State of Ohio Are Already Asking the Question  

The efforts of reintroducing wild elk to the State of Ohio has reached the State of Ohio Legislature.  Ohio State Representative Justin Pizzulli has pursued legislation through HB 641 seeking funding for an ODNR study concerning elk reintroduction.

That effort demonstrates why this is an important moment for Ohioans who believe the possibility of reintroducing and conserving wild elk in Ohio deserves serious expression from the State of Ohio and Ohioans to research the Wildlife and Natural Resources - responsibly and ethically - by utilizing State of Ohio partners/co-ops/affiliates/divisions/and supporters, credible advisors, economical strategist, and science-based research for developing reintroduction plans backed by data and experience. 

The Wild Ohio Elk Conservation License Plate Initiative gives Ohioans another way to demonstrate that public interest exists and that citizens are willing and capable of contributing to the efforts of the State of Ohio governments, divisions, partnerships, affiliations, co-ops, and .et al, through innovative channels that could help support Wildlife and Natural Resources Conservation with a focused approach on Wild Elk Reintroduction and Conservation into the State of Ohio. 

The campaign’s purpose is not to predetermine what wildlife professionals must decide. It is to give Ohioans a voice and help create new channels of public awareness and resource gathering that are necessary to explore the potential of reintroducing and conserving wild elk into the State of Ohio using responsible and ethical, science-based research and strategies. 

Your Signature Is More Than a Number 

A petition signature may seem like a small action.  But conservation movements begin when individuals demonstrate that is something worth protecting.  Your Signature Empowers the State of Ohio To Responsibly and Ethically perform Science-Based Research and Develop Reintroduction and Conservation Strategies backed by data and experience. To protect the wildlife and Natural Resources of the State of Ohio entirely. To invest in conservation that works and builds a legacy for future generations. So give future generations the opportunity to experience the legacy of wild elk in Ohio once again, and forever. 

Picture your family and friends standing on an overlook somewhere in the hills of Ohio years from now listening to the echoes of majestic wildlife. Embracing the sight that is across the valley, a bull elk raising his head from the meadow. A herd grazing behind him. New born elk running together through the valley and hills. For that child, elk are not something that disappeared from Ohio centuries earlier – wild elk are the unforgettable memories of their future, forever. 

Wildlife and the Natural Resources in the State of Ohio could celebrate together as a result of your unforgettable efforts to a Wildlife and Natural Resources Conservation Legacy – Wild Elk in the State of Ohio. 

That is WOEC’s strategic plan for the State of Ohio’s Future of Wildlife and Natural Resources Conservation.

 This campaign could empower the State of Ohio and Ohioans to explore. 

📣 Giving Ohioans a Voice. 

🤝 Supporting Responsible and Ethical Conservation. 

🦌 Reintroducing the Legacy of the State of Ohio’s Wildlife and Natural Resources Heritage. 

🌲 Conserve the State of Ohio’s Wildlife and Natural Resources Ecosystem. 

Sign the petition and help build the momentum necessary to turn an idea into a conservation movement.  Sign the Petition | Wild Ohio Elk Conservation License Plate Initiative  

Wild Ohio Elk Conservation is a citizen-led initiative that connects Ohio Citizens to the State of Ohio Initiatives, Strategic Conservation Partners, Resource Development and Provision Opportunities that could empower the vision, missions, goals and principles that key-people and key-entities are focusing on achieving; and that align with the vision, mission, goals and principles of the Wild Ohio Elk Conservation. Wild Ohio Elk Conservation is not affiliated with or endorsed by ODNR, the State of Ohio, their partners/co-ops/affiliates/divisions/supporters and et. al, unless specifically and formally announced by them.