Ogden, UT (August 20, 2009) – Recycled Fish is joining forces with Tread Lightly!® to work together to ensure Americans have a society of good outdoor stewards who responsibly enjoy activities like fishing, camping and more.

Recycled Fish is a non-profit organization that started out talking about “Catch and Release,” but has since expanded to become a national movement of anglers who live and promote a lifestyle of stewardship both on and off the water.

Similarly, Tread Lightly!’s message has expanded to reach many types of outdoor recreationists more effectively, including anglers. Both organizations were formed to balance the needs of people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to help maintain a healthy environment.

Tread Lightly!’s mission is to promote stewardship and responsible recreation through ethics education. As part of its effort to reduce the loss of access and opportunities caused by the irresponsible or uninformed recreationists, Tread Lightly! has developed an entire series of brochures full of tips to improve behavior to protect the natural environment and reduce conflicts. The series of 18 brochures provides helpful information covering a wide variety of recreational activities. Recycled Fish provided advisory input and will help promote the fishing brochure and others as part of the new partnership.

“In order to create a society of good stewards, we must permeate an ethic of stewardship into the minds of all outdoor enthusiasts,” said Lori McCullough, Tread Lightly!’s Executive Director. “At Tread Lightly!, we believe this goal is attainable if we band together under one ethics brand. That’s why we want to pervasively integrate Tread Lightly!’s brand into other organizations with a stake in outdoor recreation, like Recycled Fish.   Ultimately, we can maintain, even enhance access by raising awareness and moving people, from clueless to a committed outdoor ethic.” 

 “If we want more and bigger fish in our waters, now and for our kids, a lifestyle of stewardship is what it’s going to take, because our lifestyle runs downstream,” said Stouffer.

For Tread Lightly!’s quick tips on responsible fishing, and many other outdoor recreational tips, go to www.treadlightly.org. For more information about Recycled Fish, visit www.recycledfish.org.

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