Press Room

Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Marine
Investing in Wildlife Habitat

Tree huggers might be surprised to learn that the world’s largest retailer of hooks, tackle and bass boats is also a champion of conservation and wildlife preservation. But Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Marine customers are not surprised. Leaf through any of the 50 million catalogs they print on recyclable paper, or wander through the eye-bugging dazzle of an Outdoor World, and you’ll see the respect the company has for our environment, our waterways and wildlife.

Since Johnny Morris founded Bass Pro Shops in 1972 (and Tracker Marine a few years later), no cause has persuaded his company to open its wallet more generously than conservation of our wild resources. Tracker Marine has been a leader in reducing toxic chemicals from its boatbuilding process, and both Bass Pro Shops and Tracker have increased energy efficiency of their plants and warehouses. Both have followed the motto “reduce, recycle, reuse.”

As leaders in recruiting conservationists, Bass Pro Shops and Tracker helped establish the National Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership to develop “Friends of the Reservoirs” organizations, which raise funds, provide manpower and enhance habitat nationwide. The latest and perhaps most poignant initiative is partnering in the establishment of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, then pledging $2.5 million to launch the Table Rock Fish Habitat initiative, the first project under a plan fostered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

So, in our book, Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Marine are what eco-green tree-and bunny-hugging is all about. — Randy Vance

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