by Chris Chaffin - Friday, March 5, 2021
Due to ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS) announced it will conduct another Virtual R3 Forum on May 5, 2021, in lieu of the in-person National R3 Symposium originally scheduled. Dates for an in-person symposium in 2022 will be announced later this year.
Continuing the conversation through a virtual event underscores the importance of the R3 movement to “recruit, retain and reactivate” hunters, target shooters, anglers and other outdoor recreationalists. Last year, as shared by this website, the two-day Virtual R3 Forum drew 450 professionals representing over 150 organizations, giving state and federal fish and wildlife agencies, outdoor recreation industries, and conservation non-profits the opportunity to connect and discuss many of the opportunities and challenges of the R3 community. CAHSS is currently working with members of the R3 community to ensure the agenda on May 5 includes the most pressing topics. Registration information, agenda items and other details will be announced soon.
“We are looking forward to the 2021 Virtual R3 Forum on May 5 and building upon the success of last year’s event, stated new CAHSS Executive Director Dr. Steven Leath. “It is crucial that we continue to maintain the momentum of the National R3 Initiative, and I am confident the agenda will provide significant value to the community and enable us to continue to move the R3 needle together heading into 2022.”
Dr. Leath assumed his role on Jan. 1 following the retirement of CAHSS’ John Frampton. According to a CAHSS news release from September 2020, Leath is serving as the organization’s third leader since its formation in 2009. Its mission is to facilitate the promotion and growth of hunting and the shooting sports and public education on the contributions hunters and shooters make toward wildlife conservation. Through the last decade, it has helped to maintain active participation in hunting and target shooting by focusing on the national initiative to recruit, retain, and reactivate hunters and target shooters in America. Since its founding, CAHSS has facilitated vital projects that have helped develop and lead a growing community of professionals to improve state, regional and national R3 efforts. It has lead landmark projects such as the National Hunting and Shooting Sports Action Plan, the award-winning National R3 Community, the National R3 Symposium, the award-winning National R3 Implementation Workgroup and, most recently, the National R3 Clearinghouse.
An experienced outdoorsman, avid hunter, and committed conservationist, Leath is a plant pathologist who has earned multiple degrees, including a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana. He lends his extensive knowledge and experience to numerous organizations, serving on the Council of Advisors for the World Food Prize, its Foundation Board and on the Boone and Crockett Club Board of Directors. Leath is currently fulfilling a six-year term on the National Science Board, a position to which he was appointed by President Trump in 2018.
About the Author
An outdoor communicator for more than 40 years, Chris Chaffin has worked with multiple outdoor companies, including serving two terms as treasurer of the Professional Outdoor Media Association before taking on the roles of vice president, president and chairman of the board. In 2007, he launched the communications consulting company Chaffin Communications, Inc. With support from the Outdoor Adventure Dream Giveaway, in 2012 he founded the Outdoor Adventure Conservation Fund, a Florida non-profit encouraging more people to get involved in traditional outdoor activities.