White Bear Lake, MN - Wildlife Forever is proud to announce a merger with the Future Angler Foundation (FAF) of Forestville, Wisconsin. The merger includes plans for Wildlife Forever to continue operating the foundations programs and brands. This includes providing free fishing equipment and conservation themed apparel for youth to help support hands-on, family friendly events that are run by volunteers nationally. The merged programming will continue Wildlife Forever’s deep legacy of engaging youth and families into conservation through the arts, fishing, and stewardship practices surrounding habitat restoration, catch and release, and invasive species prevention.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to merge the Future Angler Foundation with Wildlife Forever. Through an integrated grassroots outreach approach, we will directly reach nearly 20,000 youth and their families annually with the Fish Art Program and the volunteer run angler education events that will continue to be supported by the FAF,” said Pat Neu, President of the Future Angler Foundation.

The merger will include plans to continue the digital content distribution program that is currently in place with Into the Outdoors Education Network (ITO). ITO has distribution relationships with ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS which brings their episodes to over 225 broadcast channels across the nation and to an estimated five million viewers per show. The classroom videos and lesson activities that integral to the success of the digital content the FAF shares through ITO are promoted and offered freely to an expanded base of national education networks, including the massive reach of PBS LearningMedia (1.6 million unique website users per month), to inspire critical thinking and effective educational platform nationwide.

“Wildlife Forever has a rich history of developing partnerships and programs that reach people and make a difference,” said Pat Conzemius, President & CEO. “Merging the efforts of the Future Angler Foundation will deliver a best-in-class, comprehensive platform for engaging youth and families to make lasting connections with the outdoors,” Conzemius added.

Supported by anglers from the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) and other volunteer run organizations nationwide, the Future Angler Event (FAE) program will continue the mission of the FAF to “Create New Anglers” by providing fishing equipment grants to NPAA members and other civic organizations hosting community angler education events. Additionally, the FAF will continue to partner with state and federal agencies such as the US Forest Service, to support and promote family friendly events throughout America’s vast public waters.

“I want to thank the FAF board of directors and the NPAA for the commitment to continue the legacy of the FAF and the Future Angler Event program. This expanded conservation platform will reach millions of people with a shared message about connecting to our natural resources,” said Conzemius.

About Wildlife Forever: Our mission is to conserve America's outdoor heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat, and management of fish and wildlife. Wildlife Forever is dedicated to implementing and investing resources on the ground. Join today and learn more about the Art of Conservation® program, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™, Future Angler Event program and Prairie City USA®