Press Releases

RBFF and U.S. Forest Service Enter Historic Cooperative Agreement
Agreement will bring awareness to the Take Me Fishing campaign and to fishing opportunities on U.S. Forest Service land
RBFF-U.S. Forest Service Cooperative Agreement

ALEXANDRIA, VA (September 27, 2016) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today announced it has entered into a new cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. Through the agreement, the Forest Service will help provide funding for the Take Me Fishing™ campaign while RBFF will promote the available fishing opportunities on or near U.S. Forest Service lands.

“The U.S. Forest Service manages some of this nation’s most pristine lands, and the fishing is top-notch,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “This new agreement allows us to bring more recognition to these great fishing opportunities, helping to bring new anglers and boaters to the water, generating more funds for conservation programs.

More than 193 million acres of forest and grasslands are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, and their programs reach millions of Americans, whether directly or indirectly, through partnerships. However, younger, more diverse audiences are underrepresented on U.S. Forest Service lands, all while the general population is becoming more diverse by the day. RBFF will help address this issue by reaching out to, and encouraging, diverse communities to enjoy these resources through awareness and conservation education through its Take Me Fishing and Vamos A PescarTM campaigns and websites.

“The National Forests belong to every American and we are glad to work with the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation to connect people to these lands to enjoy and help conserve for the future,” said Forest Service Deputy Chief Leslie Weldon. “Our National Forests provide many benefits including clean water, clear air and a great outdoor experience.” 

 “Reaching out to new, diverse audiences fits right in with our 60 in 60 goal, which this cooperative agreement will go a long way in helping to realize,” added Peterson.

In addition to the promotion of recreational fishing on U.S. Forest Service lands, RBFF will assist with providing fishing gear for youth in need. The U.S. Forest Service will actively participate in RBFF’s 60 in 60 campaign through the new five-year cooperative agreement.
 

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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.

About the United States Forest Service
The mission of the Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the Nation's clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. 

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

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