The 2019/2020 fire season in Australia has been catastrophic. The latest figures estimate 46 million acres have burned, 36 people died and a mind-boggling loss of 1 billion animals including some species that are on the brink of extinction. These numbers are growing exponentially as the fires continue burning and hauntingly bring up memories of the 2009 Black Saturday fires that claimed 173 lives and 2,000 homes. As a major destination for outdoor recreation, Australia has already seen a $1 billion tourism impact this season.
From the other side of the world it can be difficult to find connection and be part of the solution, ensuring donations directly impact restoration. On the heels of another major natural disaster, Josh Mills (@millsfly), a Washington steelhead fanatic, decided he wanted to bring fly fishermen together to give back to the wild places and people who makes them special.
September 2019, Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm, struck the Bahamas. Much like Australia, recreational tourism is a large part of the economy in the Bahamas, with fly fishing topping the list. Josh Mills had never stepped foot on the sandy Bahamian flats but had chased bonefish in Belize and knew that if we didn’t step up as sportsman something special could be lost.
Most fly fishing and hunting guides abroad carry no insurance and complete losses of equipment, homes and clients can mean the end of a career. Sustainability and conservation are intrinsically tied to sportsman dollars and the loss of outdoor industry means the loss of habitat and species protection. Josh, and avid fly tier, started tossing around ideas with other folks connected to the industry and Bryan Gregson, Director of Photography at Yellowdog Fly Fishing Adventures, suggested using the Instagram hashtag, #dozenfordorian, to coordinate the donation and online bidding for custom flies and gear.
Within the first day, $2,000 had been raised. The grassroots effort expanded to include guided trips and several large donations from Sage, Wheatly Fly Boxes, Meateater, Rio and many more. The total donation for #dozenfordorian reached $42,100, from 104 high bidders. The donations compiled by Josh were funneled through the Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Foundation, a 501(c)3 that directly supports the communities surrounding the affected fisheries.
After the success of #dozenfordorian, Josh knew the model would work to help bring relief in Australia. Having lived in Melbourne during a brief semi pro baseball career, Josh had seen firsthand the wonders of the Australian oceans and outback.
At the time of writing, #dozenfordownunder, crossed the $27,000 mark with a week or so to go. Please check out the campaign on Instagram. You can start an auction yourself or bid on other auctions. If social media isn’t your thing and you want to help, send Josh an email at jmills81@hotmail.com.
