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MINNEAPOLIS - In an effort to promote conservation among the fisheries that host its professional bass tournaments, FLW Outdoors has donated $10,500 to the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

The donation coincides with the 2006 Wal-Mart FLW Tour Championship, held Aug. 2-5 on Logan Martin Lake near Birmingham, Ala. At the event, the FishAmerica Foundation and Castrol administered a conservation program through which wristbands were sold for a minimum of $1 each, and proceeds were donated to local conservation efforts.

The wristbands, which signify support for the preservation and restoration of America's great fisheries, were purchased by both FLW Tour anglers and fans.

A total donation of $10,500, including $500 from wristband proceeds, a $5,000 donation from FLW Outdoors on behalf of the National Guard and Shinichi Fukae, Anthony Gagliardi and Dion Hibdon for leading the most days of competition throughout the season, and $5,000 provided by FLW Outdoors through the FishAmerica Foundation, will be used to help replace outdated fish-stocking equipment and supplies at the Marion State Fish Hatchery, vital to the state's successful Florida-strain largemouth bass stocking plan.

During the 1980s, Alabama's Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries initiated a Florida-strain largemouth bass stocking strategy that successfully introduced Florida genes into the largemouth bass populations in several Alabama reservoirs. In spring 2007, the state will initiate the first of several stocking cycles on Logan Martin Lake using the new stocking equipment.

In addition to the Logan Martin Lake project, FLW Outdoors also raised $1,500 that was donated to the FishAmerica Gulf Fund. The winning pro angler jerseys from each of the seven FLW Tour events this season were auctioned off at the 2006 FLW Tour Championship. The proceeds will help restore Gulf Coast sportfisheries and fishing access facilities devastated during the 2005 hurricane season. The Gulf Fund will provide grants to community-based sportfishing and conservation organizations to help restore sportfish populations, their habitats and fishing facilities.

FLW Outdoors is an organization devoted to giving something back to the communities that host its tournaments. As it has in the past, FLW Outdoors donated at least $5,000 at each of its seven FLW Tour events in 2006.

In 2000, FLW Outdoors announced its partnership with the FishAmerica Foundation, the conservation arm of the American Sportfishing Association. Since then, FLW Outdoors has directly donated more than $285,000 and helped to generate more than $2 million for local conservation projects. In 2006 alone, FLW Outdoors has already donated over $50,000.

"It's our job to ensure that we leave a fishery is in better condition than when we arrive," said Charlie Evans, president and CEO of FLW Outdoors. "We do this by maintaining an extremely high live-release rate and by contributing funds for conservation efforts in the host cities where our tournaments are held. Our long-term relationship with the FishAmerica Foundation demonstrates our commitment to continually improving America's finest waters."

Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail presented by Abu Garcia, Stratos Owners' Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. These circuits offer combined purses exceeding $37.9 million through 249 events in 2006.

For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.