Posted by National Wildlife Federation

Hunters and anglers from across the country will advocate for the Mississippi River Delta

The Vanishing Paradise coalition is taking a huge step forward by announcing the makeup of its 30-member promotional staff.

Land Tawney, who manages Vanishing Paradise on behalf of the National Wildlife Federation, says the group of volunteer leaders will be a vital part of the coalition’s efforts to educate hunters and anglers about the importance of the disappearing Mississippi River Delta.

“Almost every outdoors business in America has its own prostaff,” Tawney said. “But this is the first time a conservation group has used this same idea to create a team of advocates for hunting and fishing habitat. Our pro staff members are going to be on the ground, on the airways and on the Internet fighting for the delta.”

The wetlands of the Mississippi River Delta are eroding into the Gulf of Mexico at an average rate of a football field every hour. Vanishing Paradise is a coalition led by the National Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, and the Louisiana Wildlife Federation that aims to restore the Mississippi River Delta by strategically reintroducing water and sediment from the Mississippi River into the rapidly-eroding wetlands.

These coastal wetlands provide habitat for as much as 70% of the waterfowl in the Mississippi and Central Flyways and are important for both inshore and deepwater saltwater fish. The Mississippi River Delta is also a nationally recognized bass fishery.

The members of Vanishing Paradise’s new pro staff are: