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Juneau – The Save Bristol Bay campaign is pleased to be part of the Sportsmen’s Conservation Fund Challenge, a new fundraising challenge that will match donations up to $200,000 through the end of the year, thanks to a generous supporter.
Contributions made to the Save Bristol Bay campaign through the Sportsmen’s Challenge will be automatically matched, up to $200,000. The donations will be used to fund the effort to protect the unrivaled sport and commercial fisheries of Bristol Bay, Alaska, which are threatened by a proposal to dig the country’s largest open-pit mine, Pebble Mine, in the heart of the watershed.
Lodge owners and fly fishing businesses are making it their mission to help collect donations that qualify for the match. Sportsmen businesses and groups can learn more about how to participate in the challenge by visiting: http://www.savebristolbay.org/jointhesportsmenschallenge
“Bristol Bay needs every sportsman and woman that has fished there, or wants to fish there to make a donation to prevent foreign mining companies from devastating the world’s greatest sockeye salmon run,” said Pat Vermillion, who owns Sweetwater Travel, Royal Coachman Lodge and Copper River Lodge with his brothers. “Our clients recognize the importance of Bristol Bay’s habitat and fisheries and they’re willing to contribute to help protect those natural resources by putting their money where their heart is.”
“We hope people will be generous with their donations when they understand how much is at stake in Bristol Bay. We need to capitalize on this incredible matching opportunity,” said Andy Kurkulis, owner of Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters, which has run dozens of trips to Alaska and the Bristol Bay region and considers Alaska the cornerstone of his shop’s and the fly fishing industry’s travel business.
“Our commitment to protecting Bristol Bay runs deep and we’re pleased to be part of this effort to raise money from the anglers and sportsmen who deeply appreciate Bristol Bay’s untamed wilderness and incredible angling,” said Travis Campbell, president of Far Bank Enterprises, parent company of the Sage, Redington, and RIO Products fly fishing brands.
–– Source: American Fly Fishing Trade Association
