RBFF Receives Federal Grant to Continue Boating and Fishing Outreach
Exciting new programs and products engage both new and avid anglers
The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) will continue its work to increase participation in boating and fishing, after receiving a grant of more than $13 million from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar made the announcement on March 19, 2010.
“RBFF has shown itself capable of working with states, conservation organizations and industry to develop and implement coordinated campaigns to get kids and families on the water,” said Salazar. “The foundation’s campaigns have helped show millions of Americans how easy it is to find fishing and boating opportunities across the nation.”
The grant is part of a renewed cooperative agreement with the USFWS that fulfills the intent of the 1998 Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act by providing financial support for implementing and managing the objectives set forth in the National Communications Plan developed by the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council.
“RBFF is eager to continue its efforts to recruit boaters and anglers,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “As we move into a new fiscal year, we’re working on some exciting new programs and products to encourage more people to get involved in the sport.”
Going Mobile
According to Gartner, Inc., by 2013, mobile phones will overtake personal computers as the most common Web access device worldwide. And RBFF’s national Take Me Fishing™ campaign won’t be left behind. RBFF is working on cutting edge technology that will deliver information to visitors when they want it, and how they want it. Currently in development—a new mobile browser for TakeMeFishing.org and an iPhone application that will give boaters and anglers access to ‘where to’ and ‘how to’ information right in the palm of their hands.
Expanding Youth Outreach
New participants are crucial to the future of the industry. And RBFF is stepping up its youth initiative to engage one million new participants. In addition to its existing education grants and Scouting patch programs, RBFF is working with Discovery Education on a program called Explore the Blue that will provide boating and fishing education in schools nationwide. The promotional campaign will include in-school, online and community educational materials to stimulate a lifelong connection to the outdoors through meaningful boating and fishing experiences.
Additional information about RBFF’s programs and free products for stakeholders is available at RBFF.org. To receive regular updates with the latest news and information, sign up to receive RBFF’s NewsWaves e-newsletter or follow RBFF on its social networks.