Minnesota has launched a moose license plate in the state as a fund raiser for conservation efforts.

The moose population has not changed a lot in Minnesota in the last few years. According to an annual aerial survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the moose population in the state during the year is estimated at 4,350. The 2014 estimate is quite high when compared to the 2013 annual estimate, which stood at 2,760. However, DNR also suggests that the 2012 estimate was 4,230, which means that the 2013 estimates were under-counted.

With the critical habitat license plates, which features moose art, done by Les Kouba a renowned wildlife artist, Minnesota hopes to raise more funds to conserve the animal.

"Moose are synonymous with Minnesota's north woods and its outdoor heritage," says Tom Landwehr, Moose Plate Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner. "Nothing captures the essence of being up north better than a bull moose feeding in the shallows of a boreal lake, and that's exactly what this new license plate depicts."

The critical habitat license plate program was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1995. The aim of the program was to provide added opportunity to Minnesotans so that they can contribute towards conservation. Motorists who purchase the special license plate have to pay $30 extra each year to the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) program. The money is matched with private donations via land or cash.

The critical habitat license plate program has already generated revenue amounting to over $25 million, which has been used to purchase 7,700 acres of critical habitat of animals. The funding has also been used for survey, research and habitat enhancement programs.

The moose license plate displays a painting by Kouba, which has never been published before. However, the moose license plate is not the first to appear on a car's license plate. The moose license plate is one of the many critical habitat plates offered by the state. Other animals and images that appear on license plates are the white-tailed deer, loon, chickadee, pheasant, a fishing scene and a showy lady's slipper.

Information on the critical habitat license plate program is also available on DNR's official website.