12-06-2006, 08:10 PM
TheDecember 31 deadline is approaching for fishing and aquatic educationprograms that could use some financial assistance. The PennsylvaniaFish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is seeking grant applications fromorganizations and local agencies involved in offering sportfishing andaquatic resource education programming.
This is the second funding round for the PFBC's Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants.In this program, grants up to $5,000 will be given to providers offishing and aquatic resource education programs. This funding can beapplied to the purchase of equipment, materials and costs associatedwith field trips. The Commission awarded 14 such grants in this programearlier this year.
Applications, program rules and eligibility information are available at the Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants section of the Commission's website or by calling 717-705-7835 and requesting an application. Grant applications must be postmarked December 31, 2006or sooner. Programs must occur between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008.Successful applicants will be notified by April 1, 2007, and fundingwill be awarded after July 1, 2007.
Re-engaging youth in fishing and conservationis a major point of emphasis for the Commission. Statistics from theNational Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Recreation show thatin 1980, 26% of Pennsylvania kids aged 6-15 fished. In 1995, thatnumber climbed to 41%, but dropped to 35% in 2000.
"Re-engaging youth inoutdoor activities is critical to the future of sportfishing andbuilding a more environmentally connected citizenry," says PFBCExecutive Director Doug Austen. "Research clearly shows that good,well-structured youth fishing programs lead to kids increasing theirinterest in fishing more, their skills, and helping them build agreater sense of aquatic stewardship and outdoor ethics. It's notenough for us as an agency to talk about more and better programs toinvolve Pennsylvania's youth in fishing and aquatic education. We wantto put our money where our mouth is and this new grants program is oneway to do that."
The Sportfishing and Aquatic ResourceEducation Grants program expands on the Commission's long-standingcommitment to youth education. The Commission spends about $450,000annually on such efforts. Currently 45,000 children receive thePennsylvania League of Angling Youth (PLAY) newsletter from theCommission four times a year; 5,000 Pennsylvania schoolteachers havebeen trained and use the PFBC's aquatic education curriculum; 400+ PFBCfishing skills instructors teach thousands of children in anglingbasics annually; and the Commission provides equipment and support for39 free tackle loaner sites statewide. And it is looking to add moresites this year, potentially through the grant program.
ThePFBC has budgeted $50,000 for this second round of Sportfishing andAquatic Resource Education Grants and is hopeful that figure can beincreased in future years.
This is the second funding round for the PFBC's Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants.In this program, grants up to $5,000 will be given to providers offishing and aquatic resource education programs. This funding can beapplied to the purchase of equipment, materials and costs associatedwith field trips. The Commission awarded 14 such grants in this programearlier this year.
Applications, program rules and eligibility information are available at the Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants section of the Commission's website or by calling 717-705-7835 and requesting an application. Grant applications must be postmarked December 31, 2006or sooner. Programs must occur between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008.Successful applicants will be notified by April 1, 2007, and fundingwill be awarded after July 1, 2007.
Re-engaging youth in fishing and conservationis a major point of emphasis for the Commission. Statistics from theNational Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Recreation show thatin 1980, 26% of Pennsylvania kids aged 6-15 fished. In 1995, thatnumber climbed to 41%, but dropped to 35% in 2000.
"Re-engaging youth inoutdoor activities is critical to the future of sportfishing andbuilding a more environmentally connected citizenry," says PFBCExecutive Director Doug Austen. "Research clearly shows that good,well-structured youth fishing programs lead to kids increasing theirinterest in fishing more, their skills, and helping them build agreater sense of aquatic stewardship and outdoor ethics. It's notenough for us as an agency to talk about more and better programs toinvolve Pennsylvania's youth in fishing and aquatic education. We wantto put our money where our mouth is and this new grants program is oneway to do that."
The Sportfishing and Aquatic ResourceEducation Grants program expands on the Commission's long-standingcommitment to youth education. The Commission spends about $450,000annually on such efforts. Currently 45,000 children receive thePennsylvania League of Angling Youth (PLAY) newsletter from theCommission four times a year; 5,000 Pennsylvania schoolteachers havebeen trained and use the PFBC's aquatic education curriculum; 400+ PFBCfishing skills instructors teach thousands of children in anglingbasics annually; and the Commission provides equipment and support for39 free tackle loaner sites statewide. And it is looking to add moresites this year, potentially through the grant program.
ThePFBC has budgeted $50,000 for this second round of Sportfishing andAquatic Resource Education Grants and is hopeful that figure can beincreased in future years.