For immediate release:
Media contact: Andrew Walker, Foundation President & CEO, 941 809-7805 or [email protected]
Photos available
RBFF to Support Fishing License, Youth and Family Fishing and Boating Initiatives in Florida
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida today announced the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation as a new conservation partner, helping bring national attention to the importance of fishing licenses and their connection to conservation, as well as connecting youth and families with fishing and boating opportunities to create future lifetime participants.
“Florida is doing important work to sustain its fishing and boating resources, and it wouldn’t be possible without participation in the sport,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We are proud to be a conservation partner of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. And we support their ‘I DO’ buy a fishing license campaign and efforts to engage kids and families through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s fishing camps for kids and youth conservation camps as great ways to recruit, retain and reactivate anglers and boaters in one of our nation’s premiere fishing and boating locations.”
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in 2011 1.7 million people age 16 and up went fishing in Florida (5 percent of the national total), and 1.37 million fishing licenses were purchased in 2013. To capitalize on this impressive fishing and boating audience, and continue its ongoing involvement in Florida, RBFF will work with the Foundation to support efforts that recruit, retain and reactivate anglers and boaters. Both organizations are committed to promoting each other’s message and resources. In addition, custom marketing materials including email blasts, TV spots and counter cards will be created to help RBFF meet its mission of increasing participation in the sport, and contributing to critical conservation efforts that keep Florida’s aquatic natural resources thriving.
Foundation Chairman Rodney Barreto said, “We are so pleased to partner with RBFF as they help support fishing and boating across the nation, and right here in Florida. We thank RBFF for its leadership and its work within the outdoor community as a visionary leader and its contribution to the conservation community.”
About the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida
The Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit started in 1994 as the citizen support group for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Its mission is to partner with FWC to ensure the conservation and enhancement of Florida’s fish and wildlife resources, so they survive and thrive for current and future generations of Florida residents and visitors. Florida is like no other place on earth; working together we can keep it that way. For more information on the Foundation, visit FishWildlifeflorida.org.
About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org, and VamosAPescar.org, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.
Contacts:
Tim O’Neil, 850-212-5454, [email protected]
Stephanie Vatalaro (RBFF), 703-778-5156, [email protected]
