Ayers Foundation Joins Asian Carp Fight

The Ayers Foundation, created in 1999 to sustain and significantly improve the quality of life in Tennessee, has made a notable gift to Tennessee Wildlife Federation in support of its efforts to fight invasive Asian carp in the state’s waters.

Tennessee Wildlife Federation is one of the largest and oldest nonprofits dedicated to conserving the state’s wildlife and natural resources. Its public policy work has increasingly focused on Asian carp as the invasive species, and the damages they cause, spread through Tennessee’s waterways.

“Some invasive species spread largely unnoticed. Not Asian carp,” said Michael Butler, CEO of Tennessee Wildlife Federation. “Carp are known for jumping when startled. The risk of being hit by a 60-pound fish is driving many recreational boaters off our waters. And below the surface, they outcompete our native fish for food and are rapidly destroying our best fisheries.”

An avid angler, Jim Ayers acutely understands the impact these species have on outdoorsmen and women. The Ayers also recognize the broader effects Asian carp are having on entire local economies in West and Middle Tennessee and the growing dangers as the species spread eastward.

>>TAKE ACTION: Asian carp in Tennessee’s waters

Contributing to Tennessee Wildlife Federation complements one of the missions of The Ayers Foundations, which is dedicated to conservation.

Every year in Tennessee, fishing generates $1.2 billion in economic impact, $112 million in state and local tax revenue, $149 million in federal tax revenue, and supports 7,669 jobs. Boating generates $2 billion in economic impact and supports 23,500 jobs.

“Wildlife conservation can seem disconnected from the daily lives of many Tennesseans,” said Kendall McCarter, chief development officer for Tennessee Wildlife Federation. “The Federation is thankful for visionary philanthropists like Jim and Janet, and The Ayers Foundation, who understand how our natural resources underpin much of Tennessee’s economy and our traditions.”

The Federation has secured targeted state funding to begin the most basic work needed to reduce Asian carp numbers in Tennessee’s waters. With the Ayers’ support, the organization is building on that success by coordinating a multi-state effort to secure largescale federal funding to address invasive Asian carp regionally. 

>>READ MORE: Being the voice for wildlife and sportsmen on the hill

These funds would support a three-pronged approach of erecting barriers at locks to stop the movement of carp, incentivizing and expanding commercial fishing to remove Asian carp from our waters, and monitoring and researching progress to find areas for improvement.

“Tennessee’s waters flow in and out of other states, so we can’t just fight carp here at home,” said Butler. “Thanks to the Ayers’ support, we have brought together congressmen and senators across the Southeast who are now actively working to secure the funds needed for Tennessee and our neighbors to block and tackle carp in a big way.”

To learn more about Asian carp in Tennessee and take action, visit tnwf.org/asiancarp.