Maine NFC Spotlights Native and Nonnative Fish at Agriculture and Sustainable Living Fair...

A custom banner put together by Maine NFC for display at Common Ground County Fair…

NFC believes that shows and events are critically important in regard to getting the wild native fish message out there. Chapters regularly table table at shows and events related to fly fishing, fishing, hunting, sporting, outdoor recreation, conservation, and even county fairs and agriculture shows.

One such show is Common Ground Country Fair in Unity, Maine. Hosted by Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA,) this 3-day outdoor event features agriculture (gardening, farming, and livestock,) sustainable living (green products and alternative energy,) political and social issues, and conservation. Maine NFC has tabled there most years since our inception.

Common Ground Country Fair has consistently been one of NFC’s top-5 grossing shows or events. Some years we have done quite well. While not a sporting centric event, our wild native fish message seems to resonate with the conservation-minded attendees, most of whom know very little about fish…

While the issue of invasive species is front and center in the "Environmental Concerns" at Common Ground Country Fair where NFC will be set up, the focus is primarily on trees, plants, and insects. Fish are an afterthought, with general conservation orgs ignoring them and few if any fish-centric orgs in attendance. Most years it’s just NFC and NOAA Fisheries promoting native fish conservation.

This year we thought we would get more specific by spotlighting what species of fish are and are not native to Maine, as well as what native species have been moved around, mostly by state fish and game…

Members of Maine NFC wearing tie-dye t-shirts made specifically for Common Ground Fair…