‘Respected Access is Open Access’ Campaign Addresses Litter

Posted on February 12, 2011

OGDEN, Utah (February 11, 2011) – Tread Lightly! and a consortium of the nation’s most influential hunting and shooting sports organizations have released a new print public service announcement (PSA) encouraging responsible behavior on public and private lands while camping, hunting or enjoying any type of outdoor recreation. The new PSA is another tool created for land managers and media outlets as part of the education and outreach campaign called “Respected Access is Open Access.”

The new PSA features a litter ridden campsite with the message “Don’t Trash the Tradition,” designed to inspire outdoor enthusiasts to pick up litter and leave public and private lands better than they were found. This is the ninth PSA created for the Respected Access is Open Access campaign with other PSAs available addressing vandalism, illegal dumping and straying from the trail.

Additional education and outreach campaign updates in 2011 include more print sizes available of existing PSAs, five web banners, and an extended outreach at hunting events including attendance at this year’s popular hunting and shooting enthusiast trade show, the SHOT Show.

Built on extensive research, the campaign was officially launched in September, 2009 to reduce litter, property and natural resource damage, unsafe shooting practices and visitor conflicts as a means of helping to maintain, even enhance, access to public and private lands.

“The campaign was created in partnership with the hunting and shooting community, but the message that responsible behavior leads to continued access should resonate with all those who enjoy recreating in the outdoors,” said Lori McCullough, executive director of the nonprofit Tread Lightly!. “Hunting and camping are some of America’s favorite pastimes, yet the litter that makes its way to our favorite places is tarnishing the tradition and the reputation of the groups that enjoy these opportunities. Our hope is that by bringing these issues to light we will have a big impact in helping keep the outdoors healthy, open and litter free.”

The campaign is currently being funded through grants from Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., through its OHV Access Initiative, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Safari Club International, National Wild Turkey Federation, Boone and Crockett Club, US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. This newest PSA was made possible through the generousity of the Dallas Safari Club.

Tread Lightly! created the Respected Access campaign at the request of the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable. Its members include the Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Boone & Crocket Club, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Izaak Walton League of America, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pope & Young Club, Public Lands Foundation, Ruffed Grouse Society, Safari Club International and the Wildlife Management Institute, as well as the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and US Fish & Wildlife Service and others.

The PSAs are available for download from the website www.respectedaccess.org. Web visitors can also download recreation tips, order decals and find social networking links.

The group is seeking additional funding sources to achieve its education and outreach goals. More information about getting involved with the campaign can be found at www.respectedaccess.org.

Click here to view the full resolution version of the Don’t Trash the Tradition public service announcement.

Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible recreation through ethics education and stewardship. Tread Lightly!’s educational message, along with its training and restoration initiatives are strategically designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to maintain a healthy environment. Tread Lightly! offers unique programs and services to help remedy current recreation issues. http://www.treadlightly.org/

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, 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.