What is the 11-Mile Challenge?
The 11-Mile Challenge is a simple concept. TU’s
Southeast Conservation Project can reconnect 11 miles of brook trout stream
with our work to replace old and outdated culverts with modern, fish-friendly
structures. 11 miles isn’t much when you are driving, biking or even hiking,
but what about fishing? We will enroll anglers in the challenge and
ask them to track their angling miles, share photos and stories, and best of
all, win some awesome gear this fall. In the process, we will engage the
angling community with the goal of diversifying membership, giving members a
reason to connect with TU and their Chapters, and raising awareness about the
importance of stream connectivity for native trout.
The Challenge is simple:
1.
Sign-up at www.tu.org/11mileChallenge.
2.
Fish on any trout stream.
3.
Track your actual fishing miles using pen and
paper or get high tech with apps.
4.
Share your stories with TU staff using email or
social media, like Facebook.
5.
All participants are eligible for gear and
prizes and we will celebrate participants at the WNC Fly Fishing Expo in
Asheville December 5-6, 2015.
It’s free to sign up and prizes include a guided fishing
trip with Davidson River Outfitters for 2 ($500 value), a Tenkara USA outfit
from Hunter Banks ($300 value), Flymen Fishing Co. gear, and great TU gear.
Why it’s important.
The importance of the Challenge is two-fold. The Challenge
will raise awareness about the accomplishments of TU’s Southeast Conservation
Project and heighten TU’s presence on social media—an important tool for
recruiting young anglers for membership and participation.
Second, the Challenge will help the TU project and chapters
in the region connect with members, and hopefully increase their level of
participation in TU activities and fundraising (at chapter and national
levels).
How you can help.
Participate! This will only work if we get
people participating—this starts at the chapter level. Sign up at www.tu.org/11mileChallenge .
You can email me, Tara, with questions any time at tgranke@tu.org. There are more detailed
instructions on how to participate on the website.
Promote! Here are a few ways:
·
Print out the attached poster and put it up at
meetings or anywhere you see fit (stream side info stations, outfitters,
community centers, libraries, etc).
·
“Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TUSoutheast and
follow us on Twitter or Instagram @tusoutheast.
·
Repost our Facebook entry: log on to your
Chapter’s Facebook account, and then search for TUSoutheast – once on our page,
find a post about the 11-Mile Challenge, and then click “Repost” and promote it
on your own Facebook page.
·
Paste the content of the sample newsletter
article into your Chapter Newsletter and use the Challenge graphic too.
·
Email this packet out to anyone you think might
be interested.
Thank you and have fun with it!
Tara Granke
Tara Granke |
Southeast Communications Specialist
