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Orvis announces recipients of 2015 customer matching grants to protect nature

Submitted by tim on

The Orvis Company, IncofManchester, VT(www.orvis.com) has announced the four recipients of its annual Customer Matching Grant program.Targeted to raise$360,000or more, these grants are the cornerstone of Orvis' annual commitment of 5 percent of its pre-tax profits to protecting nature. In total, Orvis will raise and contribute more than$1 millionto conservation initiatives in 2015.

Orvis has awarded cash grants — to match its customers' contributions up to equal amounts — to the following organizations:

Rare, for its Fish Forever partnership inBelize, empowering local communities to sustainably manage their fisheries, thereby increasing food security, conserving important marine habitats and species, safeguarding local jobs and creating coastal climate resilience. TheNew York Timescalled the Rare method, "one of the most critical, and underappreciated, social technologies to protect ecosystems and biodiversity". The$30,000grant from Orvis will match customer contributions for a goal of$60,000.

"Really, conservation is how you work with people. We know how tough it is to change a single perspective. But imagine changing an entire country. That is Rare." -Pablo Granados, Rare Marine Program Director,Latin America

Trout Unlimited, for its multi-year collaboration with Orvis on the 1,000 Miles Campaign, to reconnect 1,000 miles of stream passage in watersheds throughout the United States. This project will open up waterways through the repair and/or removal of culverts and other obstructions. With an Orvis matching grant up to$90,000, the campaign plans to raise$180,000or more.

"Thanks to the excellent work in restoring habitat and new pools of opportunity, the brook trout population is burgeoning. After only one year of restoration work the improvement in fishing is remarkable." -Frank Mills,Vermont

Petfinder Foundation, for its programs benefitting shelters and providing homes for rescued dogs across America. This program, whose goal is to ensure that no adoptable pet is euthanized for lack of a home, is so popular with Orvis customers that it more than tripled its goal in 2014. Orvis will match customers' contributions to Petfinder up to$30,000.

"He was lanky and far too thin. He did not bark, or wag his tail, or even stand up in his crate when we entered the shelter. He rested his chin on his front paws, and watched us closely, but without hope or enthusiasm. We signed the adoption papers within twenty minutes." -Jett Brooks, Orvis Copywriter

Chesapeake Bay Foundation, to benefit its Oyster Restoration Program, which works to restore native oyster reefs inMarylandandVirginiato improve water quality and fish habitat in Chesapeake Bay. Orvis'$30,000matching grant aims to raise a total of$60,000for this program. (Photo credit -Mike Cromwell)

"Oysters serve as one of the Bay's most important natural filtering mechanisms. We will never restore the Bay without a restored oyster population. From a habitat standpoint they are the mid-Atlantic coral reefs." - Tommy Leggett, VA Oyster Restoration & Fisheries Scientist, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

"Our customers love and respect the natural world, just like we do. And our belief is that lots of people want to help, but there are so many ways to get involved that it can be difficult to make a decision," says CEO Perk Perkins in a recentarticlein World Wildlife Magazine. "That's why we contribute 5% of pre-tax profits to protect nature. With our matching grants, we invite customers to participate with their own donations, and we match their contributions dollar for dollar."
About The Orvis CompanyFounded in 1856, Orvis pioneered the mail order industry inthe United States, operates more than 80 retail stores in the U.S. and the U.K. including its Flagship store inManchester, VT; and maintains a network of over 400 dealers worldwide. The oldest continuously operated catalog company in the country, Orvis is the premier outfitter of the distinctive country lifestyle and outdoor adventures. A leading corporate steward for the environment, Orvis contributes 5% of pre-tax profits every year to protect nature, support communities and advance canine health and well-being. The company's international headquarters for its mail order, e-commerce, retail, and wholesale businesses are inManchester, Vermont. Learn more atwww.orvis.com.

SOURCE MANCHESTER, Vt., March6,2015 /PRNewswire/ --The Orvis Company, Inc.(PHOTO: PRNewsFoto/The Orvis Company, Inc.)