Georgia Transportation Commissioner Wayne Shackelford has announced that wildflower tags are now available statewide at all county tag offices.

Due to overwhelming support from the public, the state Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Garden Club of Georgia Inc., has created the tag. Legislation authorizing the fund for the tag was approved by the 1998 General Assembly.

“We want to continue to ensure that Georgians enjoy a quality of life that is second to no other state in the nation,” said Shackelford. “That is why we are so excited about having these tags available to all Georgians.”

You can get yours for a onetime $25 manufacturing fee and an annual $25 specialty tag fee. Applicants who have preregistered need submit only the tag fee.

Proceeds from sale of the tag will fund additional roadside beautification projects emphasizing native wildflowers. Projects include research on the uses and value of planting native flowers and seed sources, planting trees, shrubs and ground covers, and contract services to maintain and install the enhancements.

The new tag, designed by Georgia DOT artist Stanley Smith, features the black-eyed Susan with the slogan “Georgia on my mind... wildflowers in my heart.”

The department spends $80,000 a year planting and maintaining more than 600 acres of wildflower plots. This amount includes donations from civic groups including the Garden Clubs and Clean and Beautiful organizations statewide.