Georgia’s five wildlife license plates will soon cost less and provide more support for conserving Georgia wildlife, from bald eagles to bobwhite quail.

Gov. Nathan Deal signed House Bill 881 into law earlier this month at Jekyll Island.

The legislation rolls back the cost of buying or renewing a wildlife plate to $25 and dedicates more than 75 percent of fees to the Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division programs that depend on them. Passed in this year’s General Assembly and sponsored by Rep. Bubber Epps (R-Dry Branch) and Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), the changes are scheduled to take effect July 1.

“I want to thank Gov. Deal, the General Assembly and our stakeholder groups for their support of this legislation and Georgia’s wildlife programs,” said DNR Commissioner Mark Williams.

The plates sporting an eagle, quail, trout or hummingbird provide vital funds for conserving rare and other wildlife such as gopher tortoises and swallow-tailed kites.