White Bear Lake, MN – Wildlife Forever and Rapala, a premier manufacturer of fishing lures and products, will be continuing their partnership for the 2023-2024 Fish Art Contest. Rapala product will be featured in prize packages for student winners and for the winner of the Richard M Hart Educator of the Year Award.

The Fish Art Contest is open now through February 28th for students in Kindergarten-12th grade anywhere in the world. The program is an easy way to connect students to nature and conservation while introducing them to the world of fishing.

“We are deeply grateful for Rapala’s support of this important program. Their products will help us establish more opportunities for educators to bring angling into the classroom,” said Addison Motta, Education and Communications Manager at Wildlife Forever.

“Teaching conservation to the next generation of anglers is essential for everyone’s enjoyment of our natural resources for many decades to come,” said Matt Jensen, Vice President of Marketing and Ecommerce at Rapala. “Rapala is proud to support youth education through the Fish Art Contest.”

To learn more about The Art of Conservation® programs and to participate in the Fish Art Contest, visit www.ArtofConservation.org Read more

Once on the verge of losing their traditional knowledge, the people of the Taumako in the Solomon Islands are devoted to preserving their ancient Polynesian seafaring practices by training a new generation in wayfinding and vaka (boat) construction.

Approximately 500 Taumakans, who exist today without electricity, telephones, or motorized vehicles, could be the only people in the Pacific still capable of building and sailing voyaging canoes using traditional methods. Just thirty years ago, only a few living sailors held this knowledge; at that time, it had been three decades since any Taumakan used a traditional vaka for transport. In 1993, Chief and master navigator Kruso Kaveia requested the help of Dr. Marianne “Mimi” George, an anthropologist who co-founded the Pacific Traditions Society and a remote, blue-water sailor, to preserve their important ancestral ways. This initiative began The Vaka Taumako Project. “My role has evolved from outside communicator, coordinator, fundraiser, occasional writer, filmmaking supporter and doer to connected advisor, collaborator, and community member,” says Dr. George.

Taumakan youth learn from their elders and use only sustainable local natural materials, ancient tools, and traditional methods to construct the vessels. On the island, they say, ‘if you want to build a voyaging canoe, the first thing you must do is plant a garden to feed the workers who will help you.’ Read more

The following news release was issued earlier this week by Michigan State University Extension.

Yamaha Marine gives customers more reasons to choose reliable Yamaha outboard power with the “Why Wait for Spring” sales event. Customers who purchase select eligible, new Yamaha four-stroke outboards between October 17, 2023, and December 15, 2023, have several options to add value depending on horsepower range.

Through the new promotion, customers who purchase eligible, new Yamaha outboards in the 30-to-300 horsepower range have an opportunity to add three years of Y.E.S. coverage to three years of Yamaha Limited Warranty coverage for a total of six years of warranty protection. Customers who purchase Yamaha 425-450 horsepower outboards can add two years of Y.E.S. coverage to five years of Yamaha Limited Warranty coverage for a total of seven years of warranty protection. As a bonus, customers who purchase outboards in the 115-to-450 horsepower range and also purchase, install and activate Siren 3 Pro can receive half off of a new Siren subscription plus $1,000 in dealer credit. Finally, the “Why Wait for Spring” sales event gives customers who purchase Yamaha outboards in the 2.5-to-25 horsepower range the ability to earn up to $300 in dealer credit based on MSRP. Read more

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) School Fishing Club Program funding recipients have been selected for the 2023-24 school year. After undergoing a comprehensive review, 50 schools were awarded the Florida R3 Fishing Grant.

The Florida R3 Fishing Grant is funded by the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, Coastal Conservation Association, and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. Each school receives a $500 grant to assist with club expenses, such as purchasing fishing licenses or gear for participants.

“The School Fishing Club program enables students to discuss important conservation topics, have meaningful connections with nature, and hopefully inspire lifelong fishing and stewardship,” said Daniel Paker, Director of FYCCN. “This is our opportunity, our responsibility, to engage youth in outdoor activities and create the next generation that cares.” Read more

Dear Concerned Conservationist,

MICHIGAN’S SPORTFISHING HERITAGE IS AT RISK

New legislation dropped yesterday in the Michigan House would put Michigan’s $2.3 B recreational angling industry and Michigan’s rich fishing heritage at risk.

TAKE ACTION NOW

HB 5108, sponsored by Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), would allow for the state-licensed commercial take of game fish, including lake trout, smallmouth, panfish, walleye, perch and other game fish.

These fish are planted, reared and managed using recreational angler monies through fishing license sales and the Dingell-Johnson Sportfishing Act, which levies an excise tax on fishing equipment and is apportioned back to states for fisheries work.

This legislation would have an immeasurable impact on our recreational fishery and outdoor heritage, as well as the 171,000+ jobs it supports.

Similar legislation was attempted once before, and conservationists like yourself helped stop the legislation before it got any real traction and instead moved a commercial fishing package that protected game species.

Our fishing heritage needs you again.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Send your representative a message, and take a stand for our fishing heritage.