Press Releases
ALEXANDRIA, VA (January 11, 2008) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today announced that the Alabama DCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, the Colorado DNR Division of Wildlife, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will all participate in a direct mail marketing effort to increase fishing license sales. Twenty-seven states have currently signed on to participate in the direct mail marketing initiative, a program designed by RBFF to increase participation in the sport and generate awareness of the connection between fishing license sales and conservation efforts. Only three open spots remain for states to participate.
“With less than one week left until the direct mail training workshop, twenty-five states have committed to recruiting lapsed anglers,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “I encourage interested agencies to follow the lead of Alabama, Colorado, Florida, New Hampshire and many others. Fishing license sales are a critical source of funding for state agency conservation and RBFF estimates that the nationwide program could generate $5.6 million in funds for those states who participate.”
“We applaud RBFF’s initiative to assist the States in efforts to re-connect with lapsed anglers,” said Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division Director Corky Pugh. “This extra push to help us sustain participation in fishing is what we needed to capitalize on the excellent promotional initiatives and other work of RBFF over the years.”
“The Colorado Division of Wildlife is thrilled to be partnering with RBFF in an effort to reach out to lapsed Colorado anglers,” said Colorado Division of Wildlife Director Tom Remington. “We really appreciated the focus of their campaign on how much fun fishing is and how it helps build family relationships, and we think that message will be well received in Colorado. They have really done their homework on this, and proven it works in other states.”
“Florida is pleased to join RBFF in regaining our lapsed anglers,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Ken Haddad. “This direct marketing campaign will allow us to take advantage of the national Take Me Fishing campaign by specifically targeting anglers who have their equipment and just need a gentle reminder to purchase a license, grab a friend or relative and take them fishing. Our diverse fishing resources are readily available to Floridians and visitors year-round. Anglers should know that the money from their fishing license is used to manage Florida's fishing resources and maintain our status as Fishing Capital of the World.”
“Fish and Game is very excited to be working in partnership with RBFF to promote fishing in New Hampshire in 2008,” said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Acting Executive Director Donald S. Clarke. “Fishing is a great way to connect with family and friends, build lifelong outdoor skills, and find peace and relaxation while supporting conservation in the Granite State. We hope through our partnership with RBFF we can encourage more people to participate in fishing in 2008 and beyond.”
The product includes direct mail templates, instructions to implement a direct mail campaign and marketing assistance from RBFF. A workshop for states that will implement the program will be held January 16-17, 2008 in Dallas, Texas. Alabama, Colorado, Florida and New Hampshire join 23 other states who have already committed to RBFF’s States Initiative. A full list of participating states is available online.
About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization established in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling and boating. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing campaign and Anglers’ Legacy.
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