NFC Presents at Rhode Island TU Annual Fundraiser Banquet...

NFC Executive Director Bob Mallard and National Chair Emily Bastian were honored to be the guest speakers at the 2024 Rhode Island Trout Unlimited fundraising banquet in early April.

NFC has partnered with RI TU on several projects even though we did not have a formal presence in the state. We consider RI TU and President Glenn Place solid allies, strong conservation partners, and great advocates for Rhode Island’s wild native brook trout.

The day started with Bob helping RITU Secretary Joe Coppola address some issues with their soon to be launched new website. Like earlier conservation efforts, the two groups have been working together on this project for a couple of months now.

After a meet-and-greet and an outstanding meal, Bob and Emily presented on fishing for Maine’s wild native fish, as well as some of what NFC has done to help conserve these fish.

At the end of the evening, RITU president Glenn Place who also serves on MA NFC’s Advisory Council presented Bob and Emily with personalized logoed RI TU jackets. We will wear them proudly. In general, we couldn’t have been treated better than we were by our friends in Rhode Island.

RI TU President Glenn Place, NFC ED Bob Mallard, and NFC National Chair Emily Bastian .

One of the more positive and unexpected things to come out of the event was the formation of a soon to be launched RI NFC chapter. Seeded with RI TU members and some others whom expressed interest, this will help with future initiatives as well as improving non-trout wild native fish conservation in RI.

The relationship between NFC and RITU shows how organizations that while they are different in some regards, can have a very productive working and personal relationship that benefits each group, everyone involved, and the resource as a whole.