(Note: Not only is this atoll owned by The Nature Conservancy, but it has also -- will wonders never cease! -- been magically designated as a 'National Wildlife Refuge.' Considering that the official U.S. Fish & Wildlife policy for NWRs is 'closed until open' -- unless, of course, you have $5,650-6,850 to shell out to get the sign changed to 'Open for business.' Consider also that TNC, long a 'partner' with USFWS, is also a tax-exempt, non-governmental organization -- the extolled 'Nature's Realtor,' which is engaged in the business of 'saving the world's "Last Great Places." Palmyra Atoll is beginning to smell like 'something rotten' in Denmark. Please continue to read at least the first two at the recommended reading: the partnerships between USFWS, TNC and Orvis are entangling alliances, to say the least.)

April 13, 2003

Fishing enthusiasts can join a small group in a rare public trip to the remote waters of Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.

The atoll, about 1,000 miles south of Hawaii, is owned by the Nature Conservancy and its lagoons and surrounding waters have been designated a National Wildlife Refuge.

Converging water currents provide Palmyra with a unique environment for fish, seabirds and vegetation.

Orvis Travel will lead a group of six fly-fishing anglers in May, with room for four non-fishing companions.

Three guides accompany the anglers to the flats scattered throughout Palmyra for catch-and-release fishing of the abundant bonefish and trevally.

The trip, May 25-31, costs $6,850 for anglers and $5,650 for others, based on double occupancy, and include the charter flight from Hawaii, food, and accommodations on Palmyra in wood-floor tents in a camp with showers, kitchen and laundry facilities. 800-547-4322; http://www.orvis.com/travel

Orvis Travel is based in Manchester, Vermont.

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/living/travel/5624351.htm

Additional recommended reading:

Lake Champlain Ecosystem Fish and Wildlife Resources Complex: "Our Partners"

Natural Resources Conservation Service Farm Services Agency Vermont Association of Conservation Districts All 14 Natural Resources Conservation Districts Green Mountain National Forest State of Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife Department of Environmental Conservation Agency of Transportation National Marine Fisheries Service Federal Emergency Management Agency Lake Champlain Basin Program Connecticut River Joint Commission The Nature Conservancy Trout Unlimited Ducks Unlimited FishAmerica Foundation Vermont Land Trust Vermont Youth Conservation Corps Missisquoi River Basin Association White River Partnership Lewis Creek Association Battenkill Watershed Alliance Friends of the Mad River Poultney-Mettowee Watershed Partnership Friends of the Winooski River Lamoille River Anglers Association Vermont Natural Resources Council Green Mountain Fly Tiers Ben and Jerry's Inc. Orvis Company Inc. Municipalities of Granville, Montgomery, Hinesburg, Waterbury, South Royalton, Starksboro, Duxbury, Underhill, and Stowe

http://www.fws.gov/r5lcfwro/partners.htm

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Support for Preservation of Indian River Lagoon: The Nature Conservancy's Florida chapter is purchasing easements on undeveloped land along the Indian River Lagoon

October 1998

Sirenian International, Inc.

200 Stonewall Drive

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Support for Preservation of Indian River Lagoon - The Nature Conservancy's Florida chapter is purchasing easements on undeveloped land along the Indian River Lagoon, an important manatee habitat area on Florida's Atlantic coast, and developing a related communications plan. The Orvis Company, a fly-fishing, tackle and clothing retailer based in Manchester, Vermont, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) will each match Orvis customer donations to the Conservancy's project up to $75,000.

The Indian River Lagoon project is just one of many Conservancy efforts that The Orvis Company has supported.

Since 1992, Orvis and its customers have raised money to protect waterways in Idaho, Florida, and Alaska, as well as songbird habitat in Jamaica.

NFWF matched the Orvis gifts to these projects as well, generating nearly $700,000.

As a company, Orvis donates 5% of its pre-tax profits to the conservation of fish and wildlife habitats. - Source: Nature Conservancy Magazine 48(3). GERMANY

www.sirenian.org/sirenews/30OCT1998.html

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http://partners.fws.gov/pdfs/VT-needs.pdf

http://northeast.fws.gov/partners/Documents/ State%20Summaries/Vt-needs.pdf

Conservation Engineering Curt Orvis (413) 253-8288 curtis_orvis@fws.gov

http://northeastconference.fws.gov/contacts.html

http://vacd.org/pdf/vacdrepo.pdf