AN EDUCATION AND OUTREACH CAMPAIGN
"
Respected Access is Open Access" is an unprecedented new campaign aimed at maintaining or enhancing access to the great outdoors by improving respect for public land.
Current Campaign Resources
Overview - Tread Lightly! has developed the first legs of a multi-dimensional education and outreach campaign built around a central slogan, “Respected Access is Open Access.” The message is simple – responsible behavior leads to continued access. The need for this campaign came from the foresight of the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable.
Focus - The campaign’s initial focus is recreational shooters on public lands, but the long range goal of the campaign is to improve behavior of all recreationists on public lands and waters by addressing problems that go beyond those associated with recreational shooting.
Purpose - The purpose of the campaign is to maintain and enhance access to public lands by improving recreationists’ behavior in order to reduce litter, property and natural resource damage, unsafe and irresponsible practices, and visitor conflicts.
Research - This campaign is based on a solid foundation of research conducted by the internationally recognized research firm Responsive Management™. The study includes scientific surveys and focus groups conducted with public lands shooters across the United States.
Utilizing the Respected Access is Open Access Campaign - Integration of the
Respected Access campaign into existing education programs, services and materials by key stakeholders is vital to the overall success of the campaign.
Land managers, instructors/educators, media outlets, conservation organizations, and any other groups or individuals are encouraged to take full advantage of the campaign’s downloadable public service announcements, logo, and quick-tips. Other resources are in the works, such as an online course, trail kiosks, campaign merchandise, and additional public service announcements.
Funding - This campaign could not have been possible without the financial support of:
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
National Sports Shooting Foundation
Safari Club International
Boone & Crocket Club
National Wild Turkey Federation
The US Forest Service
The Bureau of Land Management
Given the enormity of the need, Tread Lightly! is seeking additional partners to help expand this important cause.
About Tread Lightly! – Tread Lightly! is a national, apolitical nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible outdoor recreation through ethics education and stewardship. www.treadlightly.org
About the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable – In 2006, a consortium of fish and wildlife conservation organizations and three federal land management agencies signed the Federal Lands Hunting, Fishing & Shooting Sports Memorandum of Understanding. As a result of this agreement, the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable was created to focus on improving access and opportunities for hunters and recreational shooters across America. The Respected Access education campaign is one of the Roundtable’s top initiatives.
The organizations and agencies signed on the Federal Lands Hunting, Fishing & Shooting Sports MOU are: USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management, USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, American Sportfishing Association, Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Bear Trust International, Boone & Crockett Club of America, Bow Hunting Preservation Alliance, Campfire Club of America, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Conservation Force, Dallas Safari Club, Delta Waterfowl Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (now the Wild Sheep Foundation), Houston Safari Club, Izaak Walton League of America, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, National Rifle Association of America, National Shooting Sport Foundation, National Trapper’s Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, North American Bear Foundation, North American Grouse Partnership, Orion – The Hunter’s Institute, Pheasants Forever, Pope & Young Club, Public Lands Foundation, Quail Unlimited, Quality Deer Management Association, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ruffed Grouse Society, Safari Club International, Sand County Foundation, Sporting Arms & Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, Texas Wildlife Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Whitetails Unlimited, Wildlife Forever and the Wildlife Management Institute.
Please note, web visitors using an older version of Internet Explorer (specifically Internet Explorer 6.0) may not be able to view the website. If you are unable to view it, simply use the "Current Campaign Resources" links at the top of the page to utilize all of the materials.
