Written by: Tom Sadler
During my most recent trip to Washington, DC for the White House Conference on Conservation, I ran into Orvis Vice-Chairman, Dave Perkins. Dave was a speaker on the Restoring Rivers panel moderated by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
Having a major player from the fly-fishing industry was important recognition of both the economic and conservation contributions the industry makes. Dave did a great job connecting the dots between the economic contributions from outdoor recreation, especially on water, and the importance of protecting and restoring our nations rivers. Watch the entire panel discussion above.
Dave and I also attended the Rivers Restoration and Recreation session moderated by Rock Salt from the Dept. of the Army (Civil Works) and Rebecca Wodder from the Department of Interior. We both pointed to rivers as the principal venues for our customers and clients. We reinforced the point that there is an indisputable connection between the health of a river and its viability as a recreational resource.
There was also an important announcement regarding the National Fish Habitat Action Plan. Secretary Salazar told the gathering that the Secretaries of Interior, Agriculture and Commerce are working on a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure that Federal resources are effectively focused in support of the collaborative conservation efforts of the National Fish Habitat Partnerships and the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.
Fly-fishing shared the spotlight with conservation at this conference thanks to the good efforts of Dave Perkins. You can read more about the conference in my blog post: At the White House Conference on Conservation.
Tom Sadler is a conservation consultant and advocate, fly fisherman, outdoor writer, and American Fly Fishing Trade Association board member. He runs the Middle River Group, LLC and blogs at Dispatches from the Middle River.