2016-Jun-Jul-Currents.Pdf
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CURRENTS June / July 2016 ~1~ CCA Texas Fund kicks off Building Conservation Trust Habitat Campaign with $1.5 million By Kim Ogonosky and Sean Stone contributions provide paign and we believe that it is an On February 23, 2016, the CCA BCTnecessary “seed” mon- investment that will create signif- Texas State Board of Directors ey to leverage numerous state, fed- icant and tangible benefits for our approved the funding of $1.5 eral and other partner grants and marine resources and for the recre- million towards the Building programs. To date, BCT has been ational anglers who pursue them.” Conservation Trust habitat successful in leveraging funding campaign. with grant programs, increasing ounded in 2010, BCT is the contributions up to 10-fold. The Fnational habitat program of s part of its ongoing com- $1.5 million in funding will have Coastal Conservation Association mitment to improving ma- a significant impact on the capi- designed to provide the means for Arine habi- tats, Coastal Con- servation Associ- ation’s national habitat program, the Building Con- servation Trust (BCT), has initiat- ed a multi-million dollar capital cam- paign which will result in diverse projects such as Gulf reefing, cut- ting-edge marsh restoration, habitat J.D. Murphree breakwater protection site near Port Arthur, February 2014. Photo by Kim Ogonosky research programs and more. “With the incredible generosity tal campaign’s overall These investments anyone who cares of CCA Texas, this is a very excit- financial goals. These will ensure that about healthy oceans ing time for our habitat program investments ensure BCT BCT is able to – and those who don’t as we are poised to exponentially is able to provide marine provide marine mind getting their feet expand our capabilities,” said Sean conservation legacy for conservation wet and their hands Stone, executive director of BCT. future generations. legacy for future dirty – to make a dif- “Over the history of our program, ference. It provides every dollar from BCT has pro- “BCT has a proven track generations. funding for local, state duced at least $3 in marine habitat record of leveraging and national projects creation and enhancement. As the assets and generating impressive that achieve one or more of five key campaign progresses, we will be in matches to get the most of out of objectives: restore degraded habi- an even better position to do some every conservation dollar,” said tats, create new habitats, advance amazing things for marine resourc- Mark Ray, chairman of CCA Texas. the science of habitat restoration es.” “We are proud to make the anchor and conservation, foster habitat donation to the BCT capital cam- stewardship and educate coastal Cover photo by Lisa Laskowski ~2~ The final phase of construction at the Oyster Lake Shoreline stabilization site in estW Galveston Bay, November 2015. Photo by Kim Ogonosky communities on the value of conser- State Board of CCA Texas short order. vation. strongly feels that leading the way in funding for n 2015, BCT helped fund projects in sev- and CCA Texas have BCT’s Capital Campaign Ieral states, including the Port O’Connor BCTa shared vision for the will create a larger conser- Offshore Reef in Texas, providing funds of conservation of marine habitat, vation and habitat footprint, $200,000. This project will see the creation both having a vested interest in ac- which will set the example of up to 600 concrete pyramids placed in a complishing one or more of BCT’s for what like-minded part- permitted reefing site less than nine miles key objectives for the Texas Coast. ners focused on marine con- from the popular Port O’Connor area of Because of these aligned goals, the servation can accomplish in the Texas Mid-Coast. With BCT’s new East Galveston Bay Oyster Reef Restoration, August 2014. Photo by Kim Ogonosky —Continued on page 8 ~3~ with big prizes. for making it possible for us to offer young We recently caught up with 2013 Speckled anglers this great opportunity. To be eligible to Trout “Upper Coast” winner, Jeremy Bane, and fish STAR, “New Tide” Members MUST BE at he shared how his trout win changed his life, least 6 years of age in 2016 and under age 18 to but on a totally different angle never heard of enter for FREE. It is the “New Tide” Member’s before. responsibility to make sure their CCA member- “After I won the boat, I never used it and ship is current and that they are registered for put it in storage until spring, when I knew it the current year STAR tournament. could fetch a prettier penny,” said Bane. “The week after selling my boat prize, I replaced the Our great partner, Academy Sports + Outdoors, foundation of my house, as well as, my drive- has sent all current CCA Texas members a very way the HOA had been on me for a couple of special bonus just in time to help with some of years to fix, plus all of the galvanized piping in your fishing expenses. We also want to remind the attic as some was starting to fail. you to take advantage of all the other great Then, I put the house on the market and Member incentives available to CCA Texas made a pretty good profit, all of which was STAR participants. Be sure and get everyone 27th Annual spent on going back to school to attain my Mas- signed up for the 2016 STAR! Please see below ters in Business Administration,” said Bane. for more details: “Winning the STAR tourney had always CCA State of been a pipe dream to me, but when I did, it You know you’ll go so might as well do it now! changed my life!” exclaimed Bane. “Of course Remember, everyone entered in the STAR Tour- Texas Anglers’ the overall goal is to get a bigger boat,” said nament, who will be 6 years old in 2016 and Bane smiling. older, is eligible to win the prizes being offered even the TAGGED REDFISH DIVISION! You Rodeo YOU’VE GOT TO BE IN TO WIN! ATTENTION can sign up NOW online at www.startourna- ALL ANGLERS PLANNING TO FISH THE ment.org!!! Don't miss “the boat” or “the truck Don’t Miss the Boat! TEXAS COAST THIS SUMMER! In order to win and boat”… register today! one of a $1,000,000 in prizes being offered in Life Changing Experiences Texas’ largest, richest, summer-long saltwater CCA TEXAS MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS - Our Awaiting! fishing event, an angler must be a CURRENT most generous sponsor offerings still continue A life could forever be changed right member of CCA, in addition to being to add more value to your CCA Texas Member- now as you’re reading this! Sounds registered as a 2016 TEXAS STAR en- ship. Be sure and remember to take advantage cliché, but it's true! The 27th Annual trant. CCA membership fee is $30 annu- of the following wonderful benefits your CCA CCA Texas State of Texas Anglers’ ally and the 2016 STAR Tournament fee membership affords you! Rodeo (STAR) sponsored by the Texas is still $20 for a total of $50. In order to Ford Dealers, Tilson Home Corpora- win at STAR, an angler must be regis- Ford X-Plan Pricing (see details below) tion and Capital Farm Credit kicked- tered and be a current member of CCA. $10 gift card courtesy of Academy Sports off Saturday, May 28th. CCA Texas and Outdoors (see details below) STAR officials have released sixty spe- YOUNG AN- Texas Fish & Game Magazine subscription cially tagged redfish, ranging from 20 GLERS FISH FOR (see details below) ½ to 25 ½ inches in length, throughout FREE! Young $1000 worth of free upgrades with your 600 miles of Texas coastal waters, from anglers ages 6–17, purchase of a new Tilson home (see ad on page Sabine Lake to South Padre Island. the “New Tide” 23) These tagged redfish, worth a membership p $75,000 truck and boat package, are lit- fee remains $10 FORD X-PLAN PRICING - CCA Texas mem- erally out there swimming around just annually and the bers have been remarkably honored by the Tex- waiting to change another lucky angler’s STAR entry fee is as Ford Dealers. They approved X-Plan pricing life! Last year’s first tagged redfish win- FREE!!! Of course, for us; that is, every current member can buy (or ner, Scott Hajovsky, personally knows lease) any Ford product at the same price Ford employees must pay. This means all about it. He was fishing just six days 2013 Speckled Trout “Upper Coast” we can save up to $1,000 or much more, after the 2015 STAR began when he ex- winner, Jeremy Bane, shares how his just by having a valid $30 CCA member- perienced what catching one these life STAR trout win changed his life. changing tagged redfish can do! “Truck, ship card!!! Our Ford Partner Code # is boat, motor, trailer… four prizes in CCA 61; go to www.fordpartner.com, if one… what a redemption made possible by CCA we want all kids on the you are considering a purchase. Texas and the STAR Tournament” said Hajovsky. water. CCA “New Tide” “Thanks, CCA!” members will continue to SPECIAL BONUS FROM ACADEMY There are also 175 kids ranging from age six to have the opportunity to SPORTS & OUTDOORS – ATTENTION seventeen that personally know the life-changing win giant scholarships to CURRENT CCA TEXAS MEMBERS! effect STAR has after receiving college scholarships fund their college educa- Chances are you’ve received your $10 ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 each! Over the tion for just the price of gift coupon from Academy Sports + past twenty-six years, the tagged redfish and schol- a $10 CCA “New Tide” Outdoors just in time for the STAR kick- arship winner stories have graced the pages of Membership.