RBFF Education Grant Recipient Launches National Youth Service Project

New ‘Preserve America’s Waterways’ Initiative to Protect & Preserve Nation’s Waterways

ALEXANDRIA, VA (May 6, 2009) – The National Youth Marine Alliance (NYMA) recently announced a new initiative aimed at getting all hands outdoors to preserve and protect our nation’s lakes, streams, rivers and shoreline. NYMA’s Preserve America’s Waterways (PAW), which was developed with support from a 2008 Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) education grant, is a national service project in partnership with National Public Lands Day (NPLD) to increase volunteerism among America’s youth.

“RBFF is pleased to be a part of this nationwide effort focused on youth and aquatic conservation,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “Our 2008 education grant recipients have introduced more than 200,000 kids and their families to boating and fishing, creating new participants for the sport and a new generation of environmental stewards.”

PAW is led by the NYMA Allied Organization member Sea Scouts/Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and will help to commemorate the 100 anniversary of scouting. The national initiative encourages public lands, along with local, state and private sites to establish service projects for youth and enter them at PAWaterways.org. Scouts and youth groups across the country may then adopt a project in their area, or groups can enter their own project if one is not available. The national initiative will be conducted from March 31, 2009 through December 31, 2010 with a goal of one million youth volunteer hours.

Last week, NYMA announced it has teamed up with the White House to become a Certifying Organization for the ’Presidents Volunteer Service Award, a national program recognizing Americans who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service.

“We are extremely proud to recognize our most outstanding volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award,” said NYMA Executive Director Tom Griffin. “Youth and adult volunteers participating in PAW are role models in our community, donating their time, energy and talent to bring us closer together as neighbors and a Nation.”

For more information about NYMA, visit Goblue4kids.org.

About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization established in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling and boating. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.