Posted by National Wildlife Federation
Members of the council have “a real passion for the outdoors” and “a proven record of success.”
Today, Vanishing Paradise announced the members of its new advisory council, which is made up of a dozen conservation leaders from across the United States.
Land Tawney, who manages the Vanishing Paradise coalition on behalf of the National Wildlife Federation, says the council’s leadership will be vital as the coalition works to educate America’s hunters and anglers about the importance of the Mississippi River Delta.
“Everyone on the council has a real passion for the outdoors and for passing on our nation’s conservation legacy,” Tawney said. “These individuals all have a proven record of success in the outdoors industry. Their advice will be invaluable as we work to inspire hunters and anglers across the country to take action on behalf of the Mississippi River Delta.”
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 at the river’s mouth.
These coastal wetlands provide habitat for as much as 70% of the waterfowl in the Mississippi and Central Flyways and are important for the reproductive cycles of both inshore and deepwater saltwater fish. The Mississippi River Delta is also a nationally recognized bass fishery.
Unfortunately, the wetlands of the Mississippi River Delta are eroding into the Gulf of Mexico at an average rate of a football field every hour.
“The ongoing degradation of the Mississippi River Delta should be a burning issue for American sportsmen and women—no matter where they live,” said Tim Kizer, the president of Sundog, Inc. and the chairperson of the advisory council. “Each member of the council will bring tremendous energy and unique insights to the table. I’m confident we will be able to move the ball forward on behalf of restoring this great American landscape.” (Photo of Tim Kizer, new council chair.)
The members of Vanishing Paradise’s new advisory council are:
• Tim Kizer, Chairman, President of Sundog, Inc., Arkansas
• David Dellucci, retired Major League Baseball player, Louisiana
• Eric Cosby, Vice President of CEMCO, Inc./Top Brass Tackle, Mississippi
• Gabe Galster, CEO of New Hope Prosthetic and Orthotic Services, Inc., Arkansas
• George Cooper, Senior Vice President at Forbes-Tate, former president & CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Virginia
• Hal Herring, contributing editor at Field and Stream, Montana
• Jared Mott, Policy Director for the Bull Moose Sportsmen’s Alliance, Washington, D.C.
• Noel Vick, Owner, Traditions Media, Minnesota
• Ryan Lambert, President of Cajun Fishing Adventures, Inc., Louisiana
• Steve Bowman, outdoor journalist, author of the Arkansas Duck Hunters Almanac, Arkansas
• Steve Rampy, Owner, CallingDucks.com, Tennessee
• Teeg Stouffer, Executive Director, Recycled Fish, Nebraska
• Tony Taylor, Owner, Louisiana Sportsmen, Louisiana