Archery Attracts Visitors To U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuges
Indianapolis, IN –-(Ammoland.com)- The connection between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s national refuges and the ATA is growing stronger by the day.
To further enhance this 7-year-old partnership, the two organizations partnered with the Easton Sports Development Foundation and USA Archery (governing body of the Olympic Archery Committee) to hold an Archery Academy, Aug. 9-11,at the Service’s National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.Va.
“The ATA recognized years ago that the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is uniquely positioned to get kids off the couch and outside shooting arrows,” Mitch King, ATA government relations director said.
“Because it’s a federal agency, the Service reaches youths and families nationwide. No other agency or organization has such a well-established network of land, staff and programs to reach our nation’s young people and teach them skills for appreciating wildlife and natural resources.”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife employees from Wisconsin, Oregon, Arizona and Oklahoma attended the Archery Academy hosted for the Service’s staff and they’re already seeing benefits on refuges and hatcheries in their states.
To get a complete rundown of how this Academy has boosted archery in the Service’s public-outreach programs , check out this month’s ArrowTrade magazine where Pat Durkin delves into the issue and talks to people nationwide about the program and its benefits.
Archery Academy is made possible through an Easton Foundations grant to the ATA. The ATA regularly partners with agencies, schools, retailers, park-and-rec departments, and state and local organizations to expand archery opportunities for people of all ages and ability.