Organizations Mark Bassmaster Classic By Renewing Partnership
Today at Regions Field, Alabama Power and B.A.S.S. signed a conservation partnership agreement at the Media Day of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
The agreement – or memorandum of understanding (MOU) – provides a partnership framework to enhance and maintain productivity of sport-fishing resources on the 11 lakes managed by Alabama Power. The company, B.A.S.S. and local B.A.S.S. Nation clubs are working to improve fish survival rates at local tournaments that will be announced this summer.
“We have earmarked more than $20,000 for in-state stewardship this year,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “We again look forward to working with Alabama Power to enhance and protect water resources and fish habitat in our home state.”
Since the two organizations signed their first MOU in 1992, B.A.S.S. Nation members across the state have been heavily involved in protecting warm-water resources through Alabama Power’s Renew Our Rivers and Fish Habitat programs.
“A common interest in Alabama’s waterways led to our first partnership more than two decades ago,” said Mike Godfrey, Alabama Power environmental affairs manager. “Since it was signed, that partnership has helped grow two of our state’s largest stewardship programs. Today, we look toward new partnerships to benefit Alabama waterways.”
Since 1993, Alabama Power employees, B.A.S.S. Nation members and community volunteers have partnered to build and install more than 56,000 fish attraction devices on 10 lakes managed by Alabama Power. The devices provide bedding and cover for fish, and GPS coordinates on the company’s website allow anglers to return and fish these spots.
In 2000, B.A.S.S. Nation members again joined with Alabama Power employees and community volunteers to help grow Renew Our Rivers. Marking its 15th year in 2014, the program has made a remarkable impact in protecting state waterways – drawing more than 56,000 participants and removing more than 13.5 million pounds of trash across the Southeast.
The partnership agreement is one of many ways the company is working to improve Alabama. As an event sponsor, Alabama Power supports the expected $20 million economic impact of the Bassmaster Classic event to the state.
For more information on Renew Our Rivers and the 11 lakes managed by Alabama Power, visit the Alabama Power website and click “Lake Conditions” on the left.
About B.A.S.S.
For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications – Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times – comprehensive Bassmaster website and ESPN2 and Outdoor Channel television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
B.A.S.S. offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Birmingham.
By: Cara Clark, B.A.S.S.
