[Maybe_Tonight]

I know guys here are running them and I see more and more of them on the beach but here is an interesting item that sort of amazed me. Toyota has contributed $20million to the Audubon Society. WHAT???

Toyota Donation

The Audubon Society is listed as one of the Organizations suing the National Park Service to stop ORV access on the Outer Banks National Seashore.

Seems to me as though Toyota needs to hire some NEW market researchers as it does not seem to be in their best interest to contribute to groups who want to block access to areas that Toyota products are used in.

Is it me??? What do you guys think ?? I like to hear what the Toyota owners out there think.

 

[Maybe_Tonight]

I know the OBX in North Carolina sounds very far away from Long Island. But if their lawsuit down there is sucessful what do you think will stop them from trying the same routine along the whole coast??

 

[toyotaoffroad91]

before you all scream at me lol..they have come to an agreement..but its gonna be decided next week

 

[Maybe_Tonight]

Hi T.O.,

Nah, I wouldn't scream at ya!! I was just shocked to see the company supporting an Organization that wants to shut down the very areas Toyota advertises their products for. Bizaare partnership if you ask me.

 

[toyotaoffroad91]

toyota sponsors tons of events around the country and various off road trails...since the FJ came out they made a trail team to get out there with there consumers...i was very shocked to hear about the donation

 

[RichTrox]

strange bedfellows.......

Even the high 6 digit marketing guys and the megabuck PR firms can get distracted and have a brain cramp. They probably were spending too much time on internet fishing sites instead of working

-Rich

 

[frankiesurf]

Actually guys, if you look at from someone who doesn't drive on beaches, it makes perfect PR sense.
For the most part, most Toyota 4x4's will only see dirt if the driver is either drunk or sleeping at the wheel. Just like Hummers.
If the program has the word "Green" in it then it's a winner. More people are concerned about the environment these days than ever before. So if a big SUV company is supporting nature and conservancy programs and they can advertise an environmental stance than they win on both fronts. It really has nothing to do with Piping Plovers or any other endangered bird. It has to do with positive marketing. Honestly, they don't care about the niche market(sorry Will)as much as they care about overall sales. More people will buy Toyota if they stand up for what people are believing in these days.

This post edited by frankiesurf 08:47 PM 04/16/2008

 

[Maybe_Tonight]

So an "agreement" was signed off and it has all the popular OBX boards buzzin' with pi$$ed off people, and with good cause. Very sad day for ALL 4x4 beach users. I only wonder who/where will be next!!!! Makes ya wonder.......

Consent Decree

A second note of interest is that Toyota is being RIPPED for the financial assistance to the Audubon Society who are MAJOR players in the OBX suit. Check it out,,,,, Toyota Blasted

 

[RichTrox]

A precedent has been set at the Federal level. Look out FINS. Next, they will take it to the State level. And after all is said and done, the scavenger species will thank the Audubon Society for an endless supply of fresh eggs and nice plump baby chicks.

I'm fishing the open beach west of Smiths point one night. I decide to keep one for the table. I leave it high on the beach while I work my way to the end of the bar and back. Every time I turn around one of the two foxes that popped up out of nowhere are trying to make off with my fish. What chance do piping plover chicks have? If I'm fishing eels, I constantly have to run off the racoons that keep knocking my eel bucket over. What chance do piping plover chicks have?

By the way, I do not advocate the extinction of any species, but where the piping plover is concerned, the math does not support successful recovery. These kinds of draconian measures may postpone the inevitable for what amounts to a millisecond in natural history, but that is the best they can hope for.

If you haven't already, it's time to join one or more of your local organizations that are involved in protecting access in your area.

-Rich

 

[Maybe_Tonight]

Rich,

I hear ya with the foxes. All these agencies blasting 4x4s as being the cause for the chicks demise while on any given night when driving the beach at Moses you can pick out all the foxes beady little eyes running back to the dunes from the water's edge. They are hunting these "protected species"!!!

The foxes are an un-checked predator at the beach and they are grabbing this chicks in the middle of the night with hardly a word mentioned of them.

It always seems to come down to some sort of mankind's irresponsible behavior in the minds of these PETA types. It is never about the natural process to them. They are always touting some scientific study but I wonder if they actually have ANY idea as to what really occurs on the open beaches.

 

[rpsurf5]

RichTrox wrote:

If you haven't already, it's time to join one or more of your local organizations that are involved in protecting access in your area.

-Rich

Good point Rich , it is a great idea to do this, there is strength in numbers, more members and more funds helps these organizations protect the rights of fisherman.

John