PFBC 2008 Press Release - Education Grants Awarded

COMMISSION AWARDS EDUCATION GRANTS TO RE-ENGAGE YOUTH

April 7, 2008

Harrisburg, PA -- Sport fishing, boating and aquatic resource education programs for today’s youth received a boost this spring with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission awarding educational grants totaling more than $50,000.

Ten organizations will receive Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants from the Fish and Boat Commission to develop or expand programs that teach fishing and boating skills or educate participants about waterways and the organisms that live within them. Eighteen applications were received in this grant cycle from sportsman's clubs, school districts, community groups and county agencies, with funding requests exceeding $90,000.

“The Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants program expands on the Commission’s long-standing commitment to youth education,” Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Dr. Doug Austen said. “I’m excited to see some of the outcomes of these grass roots projects, as research shows that well-structured education programs such as these lead to kids increasing their interest in fishing and boating, improving their skills, and helping them build a greater sense of aquatic stewardship and outdoor ethics.”

The volume and quality of applications the Fish and Boat Commission received in three rounds of grant applications exhibits a clear demand for even more of this type of programming in Pennsylvania. Since June 2006, the Commission received 125 applications for the grants, requesting more than $419,000. With the grants announced today, more than 40 organizations have received more than $150,000 in funding through the Education Grant Program.

“The challenge is to provide the resources necessary to re-engage youth in outdoor activities,” Austen said. “Succeeding in this effort is critical to the future of sportfishing and building a more environmentally connected citizenry.”

Increased funding for grassroots initiatives such as this grant program is one of the cornerstones of a Fish and Boat Commission initiative to expand youth-oriented programming using revenue from a youth fishing license. House Bill 1436, sponsored by Representatives Marc J. Gergely (Allegheny Co.) and Michael P. McGeehan (Philadelphia Co.) proposes a low-cost fishing license for anglers 12-15 years of age, with the revenue used to fund programs such as the Education Grants. This approach will let the grant program grow not only in dollars distributed, but also in the number of youth and adults benefiting from new and expanding programs.

The chart below lists the organizations receiving Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants, the amounts awarded and a brief program description.

Sport Fishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants 2008-2009 Cycle
1.
Yough Outdoors Club
“BEARCATS Program”
Program Type	Estimate of Audience to be Reached	Recommended Amount of Grant
Boating, Fishing, Aquatic Resource Ed.	190	$ 5,000
This program will provide unique educational and recreational opportunities that promote safe watercraft use, environmental stewardship, and effective fishing experiences to those that otherwise would not have access to such opportunities. They will introduce participants to the many recreational and educational activities that Pennsylvania’s aquatic resources have to offer by providing the means and opportunity to explore the waterways.
2.
Mount Lebanon School District
“Fishing, It’s a LOCK (Lifetime Outdoor Connection for Kids)”
Program Type	Estimate of Audience to be Reached	Recommended Amount of Grant
Fishing, Aquatic Resource Ed.	130	$ 5,000
Mount Lebanon School District will use grant funds for their program which is intended to introduce students to fly fishing. They will encourage the students to make a life-long commitment to enjoying the outdoors. The students will participate in hands on lessons and streamside field experience to connect them with fishing and the outdoors. The elementary school’s program will serve as a spring board to individuals seeking a license to fish, opportunities to mentor and share the sport, and connections with outreach organizations such as Family Tyes, Venture Outdoors, Trout Unlimited, Cabin Fever and the Washington Elementary School Lunchtime Fly Tying Program.
3.
Forest Hills School District
“Project R.I.O. – Rangers in the Outdoors”
Program Type	Estimate of Audience to be Reached	Recommended Amount of Grant
Fishing, Aquatic Resource Ed.	340	$ 5,000
Project R.I.O. will provide the youth of Forest Hills School District the opportunity to become physically active through non-traditional sporting activity. It will provide opportunities for students to learn and improve fishing skills, give them a better understanding of fish habitat and water composition, and allow the students to experience several types of fishing and decide which is best for them. The program will also provide the students with the ability to use Pennsylvania’s waterways as a source of exercise, social interaction, enjoyment and food source.
4.
Perseus House Charter School of Excellence
“Fisheries and Aquatic Science Teaching (FAST)”
Program Type	Estimate of Audience to be Reached	Recommended Amount of Grant
Fishing, Aquatic Resource Ed.	125	$ 5,000
Building on the knowledge and interest gained during previous fishing programs, this project will increase student awareness of fisheries and aquatic science of the Great Lakes. Topics to be covered will include identification of Great Lake Fish, fish life cycle, habitat, anatomy, populations, careers, aquatic entomology, food webs and basic limnology.
5.
Conneaut School District
“Conneaut Valley Environmental Class and Club Project”
Program Type	Estimate of Audience to be Reached	Recommended Amount of Grant
Boating, Fishing, Aquatic Resource Ed.	340	$ 5,000
This program is intended to offer students lifelong skills related to fishing and boating. Students who enjoy these activities offered through science and physical education classes will become better outdoor stewards and pass along the information and skills to family and friends throughout their lives. It will also allow participants, as they get older and become leaders in our society, to have a well rounded education which includes outdoor studies and opportunities.
6.
Centre Regional Recreation Authority
“Warm-water Fly Fishing Camp for Youth”
Program Type	Estimate of Audience to be Reached	Recommended Amount of Grant
Fishing	12	$ 4,500
The goals and objectives of this program are for students to learn warm water fly-tying and how to select appropriate flies for various warm water venues. They will learn basic fly casting and have mentored practice time. They will learn basic warm water ecology plus identification of fish and other organisms and their habitats. The intended outcome is for students to gain a strong foundation in the sport and skills necessary to enable them to continue learning and enjoying fly fishing, and share this skill with family or friends. The camp is designed to support the participants’ interest in fishing and encourage them to remain active.
7.
Trout Unlimited Forbes Trail Chapter
“FTTU Youth Conservation and Fly Fishing Program”
Program Type	Estimate of Audience to be Reached	Recommended Amount of Grant
Fishing, Aquatic Resource Ed.	20	$ 1,950
The Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited intends to get kids involved and make them knowledgeable about coldwater conservation and environmental issues so that they will be future stewards and role models for such activities. They will teach kids the essentials of fly-fishing so that they will become future fisherpersons and supporters of the sport.
8.
Trout Unlimited Tiadaghton Chapter
“Women on the Water”
Program Type	Estimate of Audience to be Reached	Recommended Amount of Grant
Fishing	36	$ 4,500
This program is intended to bring women into the sport of fishing as educated, responsible and safe anglers. The influx of female anglers will bolster the interest of sport fishing in this sector of the State of Pennsylvania. They will become future teachers sharing the sport with family and friends. Interest in fishing, as with any sport that involves interaction with the natural world creates a desire to protect and promote stewardship of the environment that supports that activity.
9.
The School District of the City of Erie
“CHAMPS (Creating Healthy Active Members Planning to Succeed)”
Program Type	Estimate of Audience to be Reached	Recommended Amount of Grant
Fishing, Aquatic Resource Ed.	260	$ 5,000
The main goal of this program is to teach students in the program basic fishing skills, water safety and principles of aquatic resource management. The fishing program will also serve to motivate students in the areas of science and language arts, improving their literacy skills. The pilot program has already led to an unprecedented level of parent/family interest and involvement, which this program hopes to expand upon.
10.
Pennsylvania Trout, Inc. (PA Council of Trout Unlimited)
“Trout in the Classroom”
Program Type	Estimate of Audience to be Reached	Recommended Amount of Grant
Aquatic Resource Ed.	350	$ 5,000
By providing students with a general understanding of stream ecology and coldwater conservation, students will learn about the life cycle of a fish and the water quality requirements to sustain fish. In addition, since students will be rearing fish from eggs to fry and then releasing them into a stream, students will take a general interest in keeping the fishery healthy. By creating a general awareness about fishing opportunities, developing an interest in it by providing a better understanding of stream ecology, and giving the students the skills and knowledge about coldwater species will help them continue their interest in coldwater conservation and angling.

RELATED

Press release index