Press Releases

RBFF Announces Nine Awardees of 2017 State R3 Program Grants
Grant program funds angler and boater recruitment, retention and reactivation initiatives
2017-R3-Program-grantees

ALEXANDRIA, VA (April 25, 2017) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today announced nine programs in seven states will receive funding through its State R3 Program Grants, now in its third year. The program funds sustainable and replicable angler and boater recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) initiatives that focus on increasing fishing license sales and boat registrations to help achieve 60 million anglers in 60 months.

“Our state agency partners will be critical in helping us reach that 60 million angler milestone,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “This grant program assists each grantee organization in improving its angler R3 activities, leading to a more active base of anglers and boaters, and more available funds for conservation programs.”

We are excited to announce the awardees of the 2017 State R3 Program Grants:

  • Georgia Wildlife Resources Division -
    • Digital Marketing with Georgia
  • Idaho Department of Fish and Game -
    • Idaho Angler Retention Program
  • Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife -
    • Using Direct Mail and Email to Retain Anglers
  • Maryland Department of Natural Resources -
    • Maryland License System Improvement Grant Program
    • Es Mi Parque Program
  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources -
    • Engaging Michigan's First-Time License Buyers
    • Engaging Michigan's Lapsed Female Anglers
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources -
    • Minnesota Lifetime Angling Retention
  • Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife -
    • 2017 Annual Trout Fishing Derby Promotion 

All grantee programs fall into one of three focus areas: implementing angler/boater retention or reactivation strategies utilizing RBFF's Toolkits, improving the capacity of agencies, and/or testing innovative marketing strategies. In all, $136,300 was awarded to grantees through the 2017 State R3 Program Grants. Proposals were reviewed and selected by RBFF staff and a Proposal Review Working Group made up of industry Board members, Federal agency and NGO representatives.

RBFF looks forward to working with these agencies to implement effective methods for recruiting, retaining and reactivating anglers and boaters, and sharing the learnings in the future. For more information, please contact Stephanie Hussey, State R3 Program Director.

 

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)
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.

For further information: Stephanie Vatalaro, svatalaro@rbff.org, 703-778-5156

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