Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Root for the home team and get entered to win!

MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Association of Lakes (WAL) have teamed up in the fight against aquatic invasive species and announced today the start of the “Root for the Home Team” giveaway – a promotion to encourage anglers and boater to take steps to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasives and VHS fish disease.

WAL will be giving one lucky winner, two luxury-suite tickets to the Brewers versus the San Francisco Giants game on Saturday, September 5. Additional fishing-related prizes will also be awarded. To enter, contestants must take an online pledge to follow these simple steps:

  • INSPECT boats, trailers and equipment.
  • REMOVE plants, animals and mud.
  • DRAIN water from boats and all equipment.
  • DON'T MOVE live fish away from a waterbody.
  • BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer. Use leftover minnows only under certain conditions.

Wisconsin has a marvelous and globally significant collection of lakes that ranges from the very largest in the world--Lake Superior--to more than 15,000 smaller lakes,” says Tami Jackson, WAL director of communications. “Some of our lakes are small and remote, others are busy with boaters and anglers, but all of our lakes need help from all of us to prevent aquatic invasive species from damaging our shared public waters.”

Thanks to Wisconsin’s water users following preventive steps, efforts to fight the spread of aquatic invasive species are paying off. A new aquatic invasive species report shows that the spread of key aquatic invasive species has slowed in recent years and VHS fish disease has not been discovered in any new waters since 2007.

“Wisconsin has made great strides in the fight against aquatic invasive species,” says DNR Secretary Matt Frank, “and we want to continue down this path.”

“We encourage everyone to keep up the good work. By taking the pledge, you have a chance to win some great prizes, but the real reward will come from your commitment to protecting Wisconsin’s waters.”

Anglers and boaters can continue to do their part by rooting for the home team and striking out the visitors. Simply take the online pledge and get entered to win.

The deadline to enter is July 5, 2009 and winners will be announced July 6, 2009. Contestants must be at least 16 years of age.

No comments: