Patagonia, the California outdoor clothing company, has teamed up with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to help raise public awareness about the threat of aquatic invasive species through the "Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!" program.

As the 173rd member of the growing "Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!" campaign, Patagonia brings a global reputation as an environmental leader in the outdoor and recreational fishing industries. Patagonia's support for the campaign will enable it to educate millions of anglers, outdoor and paddle sport enthusiasts about invasive species' threats across the country.

The majority of foreign plant and animal species that have found their way to North America are benign, but a small percentage are responsible for major environmental and costly infrastructure damage. Zebra mussels clog industrial and marine water intake equipment, Chinese mitten crabs damage commercial fishing nets and the Round goby continues to consume the eggs of bass, walleye and perch in the Great Lakes. Some credit invasives with more than $120 million in damage each year in the United States. "'Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!' is the type of program that Patagonia likes to support because it's an action-oriented campaign that addresses a major environmental issue - invasive species - and makes the issue relevant to people who can do something about it," said Bill Klyn, Patagonia's fishing marketing manager.

Klyn said he considers the campaign one of the best approaches to combat aquatic invasive species, which include threats from species like the New Zealand Mud Snail and Whirling Disease. "It makes good sense to make our customers aware of what they can do to help address this issue," said Klyn. "We plan to incorporate the campaign materials into the marketing efforts of our fishing and paddling product line."

Patagonia is the latest in a list of partners that includes Federal and State agencies, universities, other businesses and national, regional and local conservation organizations. As the primary funding agency for the campaign, the Fish and Wildlife Service works to promote "Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!" and tap into the communication networks of its partner organizations.

"Patagonia joining the campaign is exciting," said Mamie Parker, Assistant Director for Fisheries and Habitat Conservation and co-chair of the ANS Task Force. 'Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!' continues to show its value as a communications vehicle uniting the conservation community to speak with a single voice."

More information about Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! is available at www.protectyourwaters.net. Patagonia, Inc. designs, markets and distributes outdoor gear and apparel through its catalog, retail stores, wholesale dealers and website (www.patagonia.com). The company donates 1% of sales to the restoration and protection of the natural environment and has granted over $20 million in financial and in-kind donations to grassroots environmental organizations since 1989. Known for its commitment to quality and environmental responsibility, Patagonia offers products made from organic cotton, hemp and recycled materials. For more information, see www.patagonia.com.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 542 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

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