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Customers at the East Peoria Bass Pro Shop’s Evening for Conservation Sept. 21 not only attended a grand opening but a fundraiser to support the preservation of the environment for future generations.
“Bass Pro Shop opens every store with an Evening for Conservation to showcase local conservation groups and to contribute to a major conservation effort,” said Martin MacDonald, director of Corporate Public Relations at Bass Pro Shops.
This fundraiser donated 50 cents of every $1 spent at the Bass Pro Shop’s Wednesday opening to the “More Fish” campaign of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. In addition, Bass Pro officials invited several local conservation groups to set up booths at their Sept. 21 opening event to educate the community on preservation issues.
“Bass Pro is a long-time partner of NFWF’s. They provide funding each year under our ‘More Fish’ campaign that helps to support two areas,” said Krystyna Wolniakowski, director of NFWF. “The first area is a large reservoir restoration project on Table Rock Lake and its watershed in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. They also provide general support for our ‘freshwater fisheries program’ that provides grants to non-profit organizations and agencies that are protecting and restoring fish habitats across the country.”
Bass Pro Shops sponsored the Table Rock Lake Project as a pilot project created to improve the habitat of many of America’s reservoirs and their watersheds. It was also designed to improve the partnership of sportsmen, boaters, public agencies and conservation non-profits in supporting the national strategic plan which aims at improving the failing fish habitats and fresh waterways.
“In addition to our freshwater fisheries grants, we also do other grants in Illinois for wetlands and marsh restorations… many of these marshes are important areas for fish habitats,” said Wolniakowski.
Bass Pro decided to become involved in the “More Fish” campaign when customers expressed their concerns about problems with the water and fish at their favorite fishing spots. Additionally, conservation agencies came to a consensus that America’s fisheries were rapidly declining. Many species of fish were becoming endangered, mainly due to habitat degradation such as water pollution.
Bass Pro chose the “More Fish” campaign as the focus for their funds, because they began business with fish and saw this opportunity as a way to give back.
Since then, Bass Pro has continued its commitment to giving back by supporting many more conservation efforts such as the National Reservoir Habitat Partnership which focuses on preserving major American fishing destinations.
“Bass Pro has been very supportive and involved in promoting the fish habitat partnerships across the country, including Illinois,” said Wolniakowski.
Concerned customers of Bass Pro initiated the company’s interest in becoming involved with conservation campaigns and the customers will continue to encourage Bass Pro’s preservation efforts.
“When you have everyone working together, that’s when it makes a difference. And when we see customers’ appreciation, that’s when it really shows us we’re making a difference,” said MacDonald.
Customers at the East Peoria Bass Pro Shop’s Evening for Conservation Sept. 21 not only attended a grand opening but a fundraiser to support the preservation of the environment for future generations.
“Bass Pro Shop opens every store with an Evening for Conservation to showcase local conservation groups and to contribute to a major conservation effort,” said Martin MacDonald, director of Corporate Public Relations at Bass Pro Shops.
This fundraiser donated 50 cents of every $1 spent at the Bass Pro Shop’s Wednesday opening to the “More Fish” campaign of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. In addition, Bass Pro officials invited several local conservation groups to set up booths at their Sept. 21 opening event to educate the community on preservation issues.
“Bass Pro is a long-time partner of NFWF’s. They provide funding each year under our ‘More Fish’ campaign that helps to support two areas,” said Krystyna Wolniakowski, director of NFWF. “The first area is a large reservoir restoration project on Table Rock Lake and its watershed in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. They also provide general support for our ‘freshwater fisheries program’ that provides grants to non-profit organizations and agencies that are protecting and restoring fish habitats across the country.”
Bass Pro Shops sponsored the Table Rock Lake Project as a pilot project created to improve the habitat of many of America’s reservoirs and their watersheds. It was also designed to improve the partnership of sportsmen, boaters, public agencies and conservation non-profits in supporting the national strategic plan which aims at improving the failing fish habitats and fresh waterways.
“In addition to our freshwater fisheries grants, we also do other grants in Illinois for wetlands and marsh restorations… many of these marshes are important areas for fish habitats,” said Wolniakowski.
Bass Pro decided to become involved in the “More Fish” campaign when customers expressed their concerns about problems with the water and fish at their favorite fishing spots. Additionally, conservation agencies came to a consensus that America’s fisheries were rapidly declining. Many species of fish were becoming endangered, mainly due to habitat degradation such as water pollution.
Bass Pro chose the “More Fish” campaign as the focus for their funds, because they began business with fish and saw this opportunity as a way to give back.
Since then, Bass Pro has continued its commitment to giving back by supporting many more conservation efforts such as the National Reservoir Habitat Partnership which focuses on preserving major American fishing destinations.
“Bass Pro has been very supportive and involved in promoting the fish habitat partnerships across the country, including Illinois,” said Wolniakowski.
Concerned customers of Bass Pro initiated the company’s interest in becoming involved with conservation campaigns and the customers will continue to encourage Bass Pro’s preservation efforts.
“When you have everyone working together, that’s when it makes a difference. And when we see customers’ appreciation, that’s when it really shows us we’re making a difference,” said MacDonald.
