Press Releases
Alexandria, VA (February 6, 2017) – RBFF and the George H.W. Bush Vamos a Pescar™ Education Fund today announced recipients for the second round of grant donations to organizations bringing conservation, education and fishing and boating experiences to Hispanic families. A total of $35,000 in grants were awarded to 12 fishing and boating programs in six states through the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar™ Education Fund. The six state agencies will fully-match the grant funds provided by the Education Fund, effectively bringing the total amount of funding to $70,000 for the 2017 round of grantees.
“As the Hispanic audience continues to gain significance and influence, it will be up to programs like the George H.W. Bush Vamos a Pescar™ Education Fund to engage this emerging audience,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We are encouraged by the work that has been done as a result of this fund so far and are excited to welcome a new round of grantees for 2017.”
The Hispanic audience is currently 57 million strong, making up 18% of the population. Perhaps more importantly, the Hispanic audience accounted for over 48% of the U.S. population growth between 2010 and 2015 and are projected to reach 65 million individuals by 2020. The following programs will go a long way to ensure that fishing and boating are an important part of this population’s identity in the future.
GRANTEE PROGRAMS FOR 2017:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission –
California Department of Fish and Wildlife –
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection –
Iowa Department of Natural Resources –
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism –
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department –
- Fishing’s Future – Central Texas Chapter
- Fishing’s Future – Clear Lake/Galveston Chapter
- Fishing’s Future – Houston Chapter
- Fishing’s Future – South Padre Island Chapter
- Our Lady of Guadalupe
Funds provided to these grantee organizations will enable them to organize programs that will introduce fishing and boating to youth and families, providing hands-on experiences to help develop their skills. Attendees of grantee programs will also be taught water safety and safe boating behaviors and will take part in conservation and aquatic stewardship activities.
In 2014, Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO Johnny Morris donated $125,000 to RBFF to start an Education Fund in honor of his friend, President George H.W. Bush’s 90th birthday. Soon after the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar™ Education Fund was launched, The Walt Disney Company, Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and RBFF came on board with their financial support. The Education Fund carries out its mission of engaging Hispanic families across the United States in fishing and boating through hands-on experiences and conservation activities.
More information about the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar™ Education Fund is available at takemefishing.org/educationfund. Learn more about how you or your organization can donate to the fund here.
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 George H.W. Bush Vamos a Pescar™ Education Fund
The George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar™ Education Fund was created by RBFF with an initial donation of $125,000 from Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO Johnny Morris to bring conservation, education and fishing and boating experiences to Hispanic families in key metro areas of Texas and Florida. With the help of similar donations from other individuals, companies and associations, the fund will help educate and engage Hispanic and multicultural audiences throughout the United States in boating and fishing with the support of RBFF’s Vamos A Pescar™ Hispanic outreach initiative.
