American Rivers Selected as 2010 Orvis Conservation Grantee

Award Will Fund Restoration Projects on Two of America's Largest Rivers

WASHINGTON, March 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Rivers, the nation's leading river conservation organization, has been awarded the 2010 Conservation Grant from Orvis, the oldest mail-order company in the United States. Since 1856, Orvis has been outfitting customers for the sporting traditions and supporting a broad range of conservation efforts.

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Orvis has committed to matching donations from its customers with the goal of raising $120,000 for restoration projects on California's Sacramento River and the Yellow Breeches watershed in Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River basin. Orvis customers will be invited to support the restoration efforts directly through its catalogue and website.

"We're grateful to Orvis for their decades of leadership in conservation, and for this generous gift to support our river restoration work," said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. "With Orvis's support, we are working to protect and restore these rivers that provide homes for fish and wildlife, unparalleled outdoor recreation, and clean drinking water for millions."

The Sacramento River, named America's Most Endangered River™ in 2009 by American Rivers, provides drinking water to 20 million people. It is choked by levees that keep the river from replenishing the floodplains that provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Removal of a levee on the Deer Creek tributary will restore the floodplain, creating rich habitat for trout and other wildlife. American Rivers will also help create five miles of creek-side trails, including two pedestrian bridges that will provide access for fly-anglers to many currently inaccessible fishing spots.

The Yellow Breeches watershed in central Pennsylvania is a well-known fly fishing destination with significant populations of brook and brown trout. The Orvis Conservation Grant will help American Rivers remove three dams and open up miles of river habitat that will lead to restored wetlands and increased spawning areas, more trout, and improved water quality.

To learn more about the restoration projects that the 2010 Orvis Conservation Grant is supporting, visit AmericanRivers.org/Orvis.

"Orvis is proud to support American Rivers' projects on two of the country's great rivers so that they will continue to serve people and nature, now and into the future." said Perk Perkins, CEO of Orvis.

Orvis is a long-time supporter of American Rivers. In 2009, Orvis sponsored the 2009 America's Most Endangered Rivers^TM report and they are currently running a photo contest (Orvis.com/fishphoto) to benefit American Rivers' work.

American Rivers is the leading conservation organization fighting for healthy rivers so communities can thrive. American Rivers protects and restores America's rivers for the benefit of people, wildlife and nature. Founded in 1973, American Rivers has more than 65,000 members and supporters, with headquarters in Washington, DC and offices nationwide.

SOURCE American Rivers