-- Wonders of Wildlife recently announced the addition of Realtree as an official sponsor of National Hunting and Fish Day.

This year's celebration is set for Sept. 27.

Congress established the annual commemoration in 1971 as a formal reminder that conservation funding depends on hunters and anglers. Today, through license fees and excise taxes, over 34 million hunters and anglers generate $100,000 every 30 minutes for fish, wildlife and habitat programs.

Wonders of Wildlife coordinates a national celebration of these outdoor traditions. Major sponsorship comes from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, The Sportsman Channel, National Wild Turkey Federation, and now Realtree.

"Realtree is proud to be a perennial supporter of National Hunting and Fishing Day," said Dodd Clifton of Realtree. "The fourth Saturday of every September is a special day for hunters and anglers to rally around the conservation accomplishments of the past 37 years. Thanks to sportsmen's involvement, and especially their wallets, America has a lot to be proud of."

Denise Wagner, event coordinator for Wonders of Wildlife, said, "Realtree's sponsorship will help us develop and enhance our event planning guide, posters, banners, public service announcements, newspaper ads and other tools, many available for free at www.nhfday.org, to help deliver the National Hunting and Fishing Day message."

Located in Springfield, Mo., Wonders of Wildlife is the only hunting- and fishing-focused museum that's both affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution and accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

For more information, visit www.nhfday.org.