Stewardship Tip Jan 5th, 2009- Introducing Mark Olson
New Year’s Cheers! You’ve got a different writer for this week’s Stewardship Tip – me. Aside from the first half dozen or so of these, and the (very) occasional suggestion here and there, this weekly e-mail is written by a guy named Mark Olson.
Because I’m the Executive Director, and because the reply e-mail comes to me, lots of readers think I’m the one to write this tip. I wanted to start 2010 giving credit where credit is due.
So here’s saying that if you’re getting something good out of this, it’s Mark’s doing. And if you want to read more of his writings, check out his Verdigre Creek Journal blog, or his story, ‘Furballs,’ at FlyAddicts.com which is a tale of capturing a Mako Shark on the fly.
There’s more to this than an introduction though. The goal of the Stewardship Tip is to identify a problem facing our fisheries, and give a simple, everyday way you can help solve it.
Let me be clear: Mark Olson is not the problem. He is the solution.
And so are you.
One of the biggest problems facing our fisheries is in-action.
All of us escape to the waters and the wilds as a release from the pressure of everyday life, and we take what nature has to give. And that’s okay.
The problem is that too few of us are giving back.
Mark Olson gives back. He gives an hour or two a week to research, compose and edit this e-mail. It reaches thousands of anglers, and our survey last year showed that over 90% learned more about ‘living as a steward,’ and over 65% changed the way they lived. Awesome.
Mark is also involved in several on-the-ground organizations. He donates money. He writes local and state officials on issues.
Do you?
If so, good for you – awesome – thank you!
If not, 2010 is the year to start. There’s no better time than now.
One hour a week, two – that can improve the lives of thousands of people, improve our waters, our environment.
Look at Mark Olson.
Want something to do? No matter what your skills are, we can find a fit for you at Recycled Fish. E-mail me (fishrecycler@recycledfish.org) and we’ll find a way for you to help from where you are, when you can.
We’re especially looking for people in design / web / programming, sales & marketing, accounting, and with writing and research skills. Hey – can you send e-mails? Post to forums? Willing to help organize local events like film viewings? Can you help with a Recycled Fish table at an event in your area like a sportsman’s expo?
Check out the ways other volunteers are helping out in the Who We Are section of our website.
No matter where you live, there is a conservation organization doing good work on the ground – they want your help, trust me.
Funds matter too. If you’re not yet a Premium Member of Recycled Fish, that $25 annual gift not only earns you some swag (like a T-shirt) it is also one of the biggest ways we fund our mission. Please step up to that gift right now, if you haven’t already. Here’s a link: /?p=733
Why it is important to the fish: Now more than ever our fisheries need not just sportsmen, but stewards. Battles are being fought for access, for clean water, for adequate water to sustain fisheries, for the future of our sport.
When you send the email or pick up the phone to say, “I’ll help,” you change more lives than your own, for the better.
Teeg Stouffer
Executive Director
Recycled Fish
(402) 873-7255
fishrecycler@recycledfish.org
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Join us at the Recycled Fish Conservation Forum hosted by Big Fish Tackle for discussions on the Stewardship Tip and other issues relating to the future of our fisheries.
This week’s sponsor-partner:Dick’s sporting goods
Dick’s Sporting goods holds our sponsor slot for a second week. Why? No company lends more support to our mission than Dick’s Sporting Goods, and that’s saying something. Let them know next time you’re in the store.
In addition to their partnership to sponsor this week’s Stewardship Tip, we would like to thank them for sponsoring the Recycled Fish 24 Hour Fish a Thon.
Rising demand for our weekly Stewardship Tip and a new partnership with Fly Cast America now makes the Stewardship Tip available in Spanish. Ahora, reciba el Stewardship Tip en español. Gentileza de Fly Cast America.
To read the weekly Stewardship Tip in Spanish, click here Simplemente haga click aquí si desea recibir el Stewardship tip en Español.
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