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Contact: Pete Wuebker
pwuebker@wildlifeforever.org
763-253-0222
Wildlife Forever Receives “Rise To The Future” Award
For Excellence in Public Outreach
BROOKLYN CENTER, MN--U.S. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell presented a 2008 “Rise to the Future Award” to Douglas Grann, President & CEO of Wildlife Forever at a recent ceremony held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. Also accepting the honor was Steve Pennaz, Host of North American Fisherman Television and a board member of Wildlife Forever.
Chief Kimbell recognized Wildlife Forever’s Threat Campaign, a national, multi-media educational outreach effort targeted to hunters and anglers in the battle against invasive species. The ongoing public awareness effort uses television, print advertising, billboards and kiosks to inform recreational users of the steps they can take to help stop the spread of invasive species.
Joel Holtrop, U.S. Forest Service, Deputy Chief National Forest System presented the award and congratulated Wildlife Forever for outstanding efforts and achievements. He stated: “Through partnership with Region 9, Wildlife Forever launched the “Threat Campaign”—effectively spreading the anti-invasive species message to recreational users.”
From left to right: Steve Pennaz-Wildlife Forever Board Member,
Joel Holtrop- U.S. Forest Service, Deputy Chief National Forest System,
U.S. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell, Douglas Grann-Wildlife Forever President & CEO
The Award recognized the Campaign’s efficiency wherein Wildlife Forever and partners generated more than 382 million impressions—reaching 1,000 people with every $1 invested.
According to Douglas H. Grann, President and CEO of Wildlife Forever, “We borrowed a page from the conservation playbook in developing the Threat Campaign. Sportsmen were the first conservationists and directly developed the system of state and federal wildlife management we use today. The rise of this movement, and its signature achievements were all in response to “crises” which is what the threat of invasive species pose today. By calling upon the 42.5 million U.S. residents who hunt and fish, the Threat Campaign is making a difference through education, which is the gateway to their involvement and a success in the battle against invasive species.”
Is the Campaign making a difference? Minnesota Sea Grant has been studying that question through boat ramp surveys with the DNR’s in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. When asked: “What extent has the Campaign influenced you to take action?” Minnesota weighed in at 99%, that's up from 70% in 1994.
According to Dr. Douglas Jensen, Sea Grant MN: “The wonderful news is that boaters and anglers ‘get it’ and are willing to take action against invasive species, if we use the best methods to reach them, promote consistent guidelines so that they are educated on what to do. That's why this campaign partnership is so important. It's really making a difference.”
Wildlife Forever teamed up with a diverse array of partners that all have a common goal of stopping the spread of invasive species: U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sea Grant Minnesota & Wisconsin, North American Fisherman Television and the Departments of Natural Resources for the states of Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
Examples of the outreach media and messages along with reports detailing the results can be found on the Wildlife Forever web site: www.wildlifeforever.org.
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