Conservation Legacy Initiative to Benefit Flounder, Waterfowl

Nonprofit group founded by outdoor writer seeks to aid flounder, waterfowl conservation.

(PRWEB) January 1, 2006 -- Project: Zoo Quest, the nonprofit group founded by award-winning outdoors writer and author of the recently released book Flounder Fever, Chester Moore, is unveiling a new initative: Conservation Legacy.
   
“We are at a crucial time in terms of wildlife and fisheries. We can keep forging ahead and take wildlife and fisheries conservation to a new level or we can let the issues that are facing the resources that we care so much about take us in the other direction,” Moore said.
   
“Conservation Legacy is about making that we keep making positive strides so that our children and grandchildren can experience the bounty of fish and wildlife that we enjoy today.”
   
The program will feature a variety of events centered on raising awareness to issues facing fish and wildlife and raising funds for habitat conservation and related research.
   
“The first project will be a southern flounder roundup on Sabine Lake Saturday March 25,” Moore said.
   
“Hurricane Rita caused a power outage at Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson and it wiped out all of the flounder broodstock that were being used to study how the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) might possibly begin a stocking program for flounder in the future,” he added.
   
TPWD will bring in two hatchery trucks so that anglers can make live donations of flounder to bring back to Sea Center. Project: Zoo Quest will take care of publicizing the event and working with a variety of sporting organizations and the community to get participants.
   
“This is hands on conservation and a chance for anglers to help TPWD to do something positive for flounder populations. They are making this event happen and we are going to make sure they go home with plenty of flounder. That’s our role,” Moore said.
   
“It’s one of Project: Zoo Quest’s goals and my personal dream to see flounder populations get back to where they were years ago, when it was not a problem to catch a limit. We are totally committed to that.”
   
Project: Zoo Quest is also planning a waterfowl conservation project to be announced some time in spring 06.
   
“There are many issues surrounding waterfowl populations and hunting that have become apparent to me after years of research and observation. We feel it is important to take an active role in continuing the important legacy of waterfowl hunting and conservation,” Moore said.
   
Anyone wanting to participate in the flounder roundup should send an email to Moore at saltwater @ fishgame.com.
   
“It’s important for everyone who loves the outdoors to ask what kind of legacy they want to leave behind. We want to make sure that legacy involves a strong conservation ethic.”

# # #