The Terrestrial Managers Group and the Madrona Institute are kicking off their San Juan Islands Specialty License Plate Design Initiative with a contest!

The initiative encourages the public to help create and select a specialty license plate that will generate funds for the conservation and stewardship of natural, agricultural, historic and cultural resources in the San Juan Islands. The two groups will work with Senator Kevin Ranker to complete the steps needed to introduce a license plate bill to the legislature in January 2018, including obtaining 3,500 signatures of interested consumers.

“This is a really good opportunity to bring some revenue in for critical projects,” Ranker said. He added that these projects protect both natural and recreational resources, and also act as economic drivers of the whole community.

Original artwork will be accepted for license plate designs until June 1, 2017. Accepted designs will be exhibited throughout the summer on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island, giving Islanders plenty of opportunity to vote for their favorite! The winning design will be announced at the end of September and the winning artist will be awarded the 0001 plate for free!

“I’ll be the first in line to buy one,” said San Juan County Council Chair, Rick Hughes, “and I’m sure my fellow Council members will be right behind me.”

For more information on the initiative, signature forms, plate design requirements, and artwork submittal, please visit https://madrona.org or contact Ron Zee at 360-378-4008.