Oklahomans receiving a refund this tax season can champion the wild by donating all or a portion of their refund to the Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Diversity Program. Tax refund donations can be made on Schedule 511-H of the 2023 state return, which must be filed with the Oklahoma Tax Commission by April 15, 2024.
Income Tax Form 511 is available from the Oklahoma Tax Commission webpage, oklahoma.gov/tax, along with free filing options. The state income tax filing season opened on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.
Great horned owl.
“Oklahoma is one of the most ecologically diverse states in the country,” said Wildlife Diversity and Research Supervisor Kurt Kuklinski. “And the Wildlife Department conserves and manages all fish and wildlife species, not just the animals commonly pursued by hunters and anglers. Donations to the Wildlife Diversity Program are used specifically to survey and monitor our rare and sensitive species of greatest conservation need like the swift fox and crawfish frog.”
The Wildlife Department does not receive any state tax appropriations and instead relies on hunting and fishing license sales and donations to match federal conservation grants. Learn more about our nongame conservation work at wildlifedepartment.com.
More Ways to Champion the Oklahoma Wild:
Make a Direct Donation
Tax-deductible donations are accepted year-round at our Go Outdoors Oklahoma shop. All donations to the Wildlife Diversity Program support conservation efforts of our state’s nongame fish and wildlife whether they come through tax returns or directly to the Wildlife Department.
Tag Your Ride
Show your love of Oklahoma’s wildlife with a specialty license plate that sponsors conservation efforts! Nine designs support the Wildlife Diversity Program, including the white-tailed deer, scissor-tailed flycatcher, and Texas horned lizard options. Plates may be ordered from the Oklahoma Tax Commission by mail, in person at any licensed operator location (including "tag agencies"), or online through Service Oklahoma.
Subscribe to the Wild Side
Stay connected to the Wildlife Diversity Program throughout the year with our free e-newsletter, the Wild Side. Each month, we deliver updates on conservation projects, offer tips for identifying Oklahoma’s fish and wildlife, and share ways to get involved.