James Ehlers, Executive Director of LCI, accomplished businessman and avid outdoorsman, has recently been appointed by the American Sportfishing Association to serve on their Government Affairs Committee, and its Freshwater Subcommittee, as well as its FishAmerica Foundation Committee.
This is a big win for the anglers and boaters of Vermont , as Mr. Ehlers is a great advocate for sportsmen and women in our area. His voice will be Vermont 's voice- and with his continued dedication and well deserved new role with these prestigious committees, it will be heard at greater levels, making the potential for change and new resolutions to the issues that face our marine communities very real.
Congratulations to Mr. Ehlers on all of his hard work, and it is safe to say that the anglers and boaters of Vermont extend their well wishes for all that is to come with his new endeavor.
Below is the press release from Sunday, August 9, 2008
###
For Immediate Release
09 August 2008
American Sportfishing Association Names LCI's Ehlers
to Government Affairs Committee and FishAmerica Foundation Committee
Colchester, VT-The American Sportfishing Association selected James Ehlers, executive director of Lake Champlain International, Inc. (LCI), to serve on their Government Affairs Committee, and its Freshwater Subcommittee, as well as its FishAmerica Foundation Committee.
Based in Alexandria , VA , the 75-year-old American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry's trade association. They unite more than 650 members of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists. They safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing. ASA also advocates on behalf of its members, keeping watch on existing and potential laws and polices that significantly affect their members' business and sportfishing itself. In addition to monitoring emerging polices, ASA's Government Affairs staff fosters strong relationships with Members of Congress, other conservation and recreation agencies and organizations and state and federal government leaders to ensure that sportfishing interests are represented when policy decisions are made.
ASA's FishAmerica Foundation unites the sportfishing industry with conservation groups, government natural resource agencies, corporations, and charitable foundations to invest in fish and habitat conservation and research across the country. They support fisheries conservation and research in the best way by providing matching grants that empower citizen conservationists in their own communities. The grants are an important part of broader efforts to conserve the outdoors and ensure millions of Americans will be able to enjoy fishing in the future. Over the last 20 years, the FishAmerica Foundation has provided over million for more than 750 grassroots conservation and research projects all across the country.
ASA President Jeff Pontius stated, on selecting Ehlers, "Your committee membership is one of the most important contributions you can make on behalf of our industry. Only through the dedication of caring professionals like you can we help ensure the future of the sportfishing industry. I look forward to working with you."
More information on ASA can be found on the internet at www.asafishing.org
The 39-year-old Ehlers, upon learning of his appointment, said, "I am pleased and proud to work with ASA. I am eager to make whatever small contribution I may to the positive policy work ASA effects in Washington , D.C. , and the incredible conservation work it does in restoring our waters across the country. I am extremely proud to be associated with an organization having the record of accomplishment that ASA does."
Ehlers leads the Vermont-based Lake Champlain International, Inc. located in Colchester , VT. LCI is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Their mission is the conservation, restoration and revitalization of Lake Champlain and the Lake Champlain watershed. LCI hosts the nearly 30-year old LCI Father's Day Fishing Derby, drawing more than 5,500 people from over 30 states for the weekend, and other fishing-related fundraising events to help finance their goals. The progenitor of the Champlain Fisheries Recovery Initiative, LCI also financially supports mentoring and education programs through its Fishing For Friends program and its After-School Fishing Clubs and encourages the current 21,000-plus LCI anglers to actively engage the next generation to carry on the angling heritage and the conservation ethic it embodies. LCI is on the web at mychamplain.net.
For more information on either ASA or LCI, call 802.879.3466 or email info@mychamplain.net
This author of this Article has choosen to make this article available with free reprint rights. Click here to copy this article.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
