Cabela’s Outdoor Fund makes $75,000 grant for fishing education
The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) announced Thursday that Cabela’s Outdoor Fund has granted $75,000 to the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund.
This grant will help to increase awareness of, and participation in fishing, boating and conservation activities through grassroots programs, classes and on-the-water activities held in high-density Hispanic communities.
“We are encouraged by the strong support of our industry partners, like Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, who are getting involved with this critical initiative,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “The Hispanic audience continues to grow in both size and importance, and it’s imperative that we use effective means to educate Hispanic families about the excitement and value of fishing and boating, and encourage them to participate from a young age.”
Recent participation reports show progress is being made in engaging Hispanics in fishing and boating, but that the audience is still underrepresented overall. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics currently make up 17 percent of the U.S. population (54 million), and are projected to grow to 20 percent of the U.S. population by 2020. In comparison, out of 46 million total anglers, 3.4 million are Hispanic, representing only 7 percent of all anglers in the U.S.
“The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation and the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund have done an outstanding job introducing families and entire communities to conservation, fishing and boating,” said Scott Wanetka, vice president of Cabela’s Outdoor Fund. “Cabela’s Outdoor Fund appreciates the positive impact they’ve had on the communities they serve, and we are proud to support their efforts.”
The George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund was initiated with a $125,000 donation from Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO Johnny Morris to bring conservation education and fishing and boating experiences to Hispanic families in key metro areas. With the help of similar donations from other individuals, companies and associations, the fund supports local programs to engage the entire family in fishing and boating, and focuses on multiple engagements rather than one-day events to foster long-term participation in the sport. Earlier this year, the first grantees of the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund were announced at an event held at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.
More information about the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund, including how you can contribute, is available at TakeMeFishing.org/educationfund. More information about Vamos A Pescar and all of RBFF’s programs and products is available at TakeMeFishing.org/corporate.
