NEW ORLEANS, La.—Cynthia Martinez, chief of the National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) system, and Marjorie Chiles, chief for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service infrastructure and management division, joined the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) and more than 160 union tradeswomen at Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 27, to dedicate a new fishing pier with a ribbon cutting ceremony and fishing event.

“This fishing pier at Bayou Sauvage Refuge is a story of a community coming together to create opportunities to experience an incredible wildlife refuge,” said Martinez, speaking to the crowd. “Local refuge firefighters prepped the site. Then union volunteers donated their time to install this dock that will be used for fishing but also for youth education programs, birdwatchers, a canoe/kayak program. So, thank you to the union members and USA Work Boots on the Ground conservation program. You have made access to this refuge a reality.”

After Martinez cut the ribbon to dedicate the new dock, union tradeswomen enjoyed a couple hours of fishing with poles and bait provided by the USA. For many of the women, it was their first time casting a line.

“We had so much fun fishing,” said Sara Selega, a member of UA Local 32 Seattle Plumbers and Pipefitters. “I may have caught the smallest and largest fish. Plus, we met Rosie the Gator, who kept chasing the bobbers on our fishing lines.”

“When you hear ‘first fish,’ you often think of kids, but a lot of women caught their first fish at this event, and their reactions trumped that of any kids,” said USA Conservation Coordinator Cody Campbell. “They were yelling, cheering and dancing—not just for themselves but also in support of their union sisters.”

Natasha Benn, a member of Laborers’ Local 79 out of Brooklyn, New York, was among the women fishing for the first time, and her shouts of excitement drew the attention of everyone around the refuge pond. “It was my first time fishing, and I caught the biggest fish,” she said. “We need more experiences just like your event.”

Located 40 minutes from downtown New Orleans, Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR is home to a variety of wildlife and fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and gar. However, most fishing at the refuge was only accessible by boat prior to the USA getting involved, according to Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR Project Leader Pon Dixson.

After local firefighters cut approximately 200 invasive trees along the water, volunteers from the South Central Pipe Trades (UA Locals 141, 198, 568, 619, 669 and 60) as well as Laborers’ Local 99 and Elevator Constructors Local 16 donated 112 hours on September 7, to install a 10’x20’ AccuDock floating dock as part of a USA Work Boots on the Ground project.

“The event was a perfect example of the USA’s mission coming full circle,” said USA Conservation Programs Manager Sam Phipps. “We recognized an access issue while looking for a location to host a fishing event during Tradeswomen Build Nations. We used funds from our Louisiana BCTC Conservation Dinner to purchase a fishing dock, and we organized local union members to donate their time and skills to install it. And on Friday, we brought together tradeswomen to enjoy the new fishing access it provides to the local community.”

Everyone who participated in the event was entered in a drawing for a prize package sponsored by UnitedHealthcare. Valued at $1,500, the package included a sit-on-top kayak, life vest, spinning rod combo, casting rob combo, and a tackle bag. Emily Potvin, a member of UA local 800 Plumbers and Pipefitters from Ontario, Canada, was drawn as the lucky winner.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with how the ribbon cutting ceremony and fishing event turned out,” said USA Executive Director and CEO Walt Ingram. “We were honored to have Cynthia Martinez and Marjorie Chiles and so many tradeswomen there to celebrate the new dock. We appreciate the support we received from North America’s Building Trades Unions, the Painters International, Painters District Council 30 and UnitedHealthcare to organize a memorable outdoor event in the midst of an inspiring conference.”

“This was the third women’s event the USA has hosted during Tradeswomen Build Nations, and the excitement for it keeps growing. We had about 60 participants at our fishing event in Las Vegas in 2022, around 130 at our hiking event in DC last year, and more than 160 this year,” said USA Director of Communications Kate Nation. “The women who participate are passionate about their unions and getting outdoors to share new experiences with their sisters across North America, and it is both inspiring and contagious.”