PFBC 2007 Press Release - Youth Education Grants Awarded

COMMISSION AWARDS EDUCATION GRANTS TO RE-ENGAGE YOUTH

March 16, 2007

Sport fishing, boating and aquatic resource education programs aimed at youth today received a boost with the awarding of more than $67,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC).

Eighteen organizations received Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants from the PFBC to develop or expand programs that teach fishing and boating skills or educate participants about waterways and the organisms that live within them. A total of 47 applications were received from sportsman's clubs, school districts, community groups and county agencies, with funding requests exceeding $194,000.

“The Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants program expands on the Commission’s long-standing commitment to youth education. Supporting grass roots efforts such as those receiving grants enables the Commission to accomplish its goals in angler recruitment and angler retention while leveraging our dollars,” said Doug Austen, PFBC Executive Director. “I’m excited to see some of the outcomes of these projects as research shows that good, well-structured education programs such as these lead to kids increasing their interest in fishing and boating more, improving their skills, and helping them build a greater sense of aquatic stewardship and outdoor ethics.”

Statistics from the National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Recreation show that in 1980, 26% of the Pennsylvania kids aged 6-15 fished. In 1995, that number climbed to 41%, but dropped to 35% in 2000. The Commission currently spends about $450,000 annually on such efforts. Currently 45,000 children receive the Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth (PLAY) newsletter from the PFBC four times a year; 8,000 Pennsylvania school teachers have been trained and use the PFBC’s aquatic education curriculum; and more than 400 PFBC fishing skills instructors teach thousands of children in angling basics annually. In addition, the Commission provides equipment and support for 41 free tackle loaner sites statewide.

Increased funding for grassroots initiatives is one of the cornerstones of a Commission initiative to dramatically expand youth-oriented programming with revenues generated from a proposed low-cost fishing license for anglers 12-15 years of age. This approach, said Austen, will enable the program to grow not only in dollars distributed, but in the number of youth as well as adults benefiting from new and expanding programs.

“The volume and quality of applications we have received in the two years we’ve offered Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants shows there’s clearly a demand for even more of this type of programming in Pennsylvania. The challenge is to provide the resources necessary to re-engage youth in outdoor activities. Succeeding in this effort is critical to the future of sportfishing and building a more environmentally connected citizenry,” Austen said.

Organizations receiving Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants, amount awarded and a brief program description follow:

1.	Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority (LARA) “LARA Angler and Boating Education Program”	Amount of Grant $ 4,500.00
Grant funding will enable LARA to purchase equipment and provide transportation to deliver fishing and boating programming to the community. The Authority plans to offer four major courses: the Junior Angler, Basic Fly Fishing, Learn-to-Kayak, and Learn-to-Canoe. With equipment in place, LARA will be able to continue to offer this program in the future.
2.	Carl Sandburg Middle School/Neshaminy School District “Discovering the Fun of Kayaking in Middle School”	Amount of Grant $ 4,400.00
Expands the existing BWSA program in the middle school PE classes to include all 6th grade students. Currently 7th & 8th grade complete training. BWSA is the Commission's boating and water safety course for youth.
3.	Pennsylvania Trout Inc. (PA Council of Trout Unlimited) “Coldwater Resource Education through the First Cast and Trout in the Classroom Program”	Amount of Grant $ 5,000.00
PATU will match PFBC funding in order to fund more schools for Trout in the Classroom (TIC) Programs and First Cast Programs to schools statewide. Schools participating in TIC will be provided equipment by PATU and trout eggs/fry and curriculum materials from the PFBC. First Cast is a youth fly fishing curriculum. Trout Unlimited chapters will partner with a school and teacher to implement the program.
4.	The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education “Gone Fishin’”	Amount of Grant $ 3,200.00
This program will offer an introduction to aquatic resources education and the SMART Angler program to youth in Philadelphia and suburban communities. The program will become part of science education programs at the Center including summer camp, after-school environmental science club, field trip programs related to fish habitats for visiting school groups, new badge and service programs for scout groups, and weekend programs open to families with children. The Center also plans to partner with two different schools to offer the program to fourth, ninth and tenth grade students.
5.	Pymatuning Lake Association “Shenango River Watershed”	Amount of Grant $ 300.00
Program will focus on boating and water safety, aquatic education, and amphibian habitat improvement. The boating and water safety program will be held in July. In August, the association will conduct stream and lake assessments utilizing KARE and watershed education from DCNR to conduct biological, chemical, physical monitoring, secchi disk assessment, watershed history, watershed uses including fishing, fish habitat, and recreational boating.
6.	Lititz Community Center “Basic Paddling Skills and Safety for Families and Youth”	Amount of Grant $ 4,000.00
The Center will provide paddling skills and water safety instruction to families in the community prior to the summer outdoor recreation season. Emphasis will be placed on intergenerational family participation in this life-long activity, and youth will also have the opportunity to take part in after-school programs. The equipment will also be used in a variety of other recreational programs.
7.	The School District of the City of Erie “AFTER (Angling and Fitness Through Environmental Resource)”	Amount of Grant $ 4,950.00
This grant will fund expansion of a PFBC-funded project in 2006 where students participate in literacy-based fishing/environmental resource activities. Students will also learn basic casting and knot tying skills one day per month as part of their physical education classes. In April and May, the students will go to Presque Isle during the regular school day and put the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to practical use. Students who complete the program will be able to participate in the tackle loaner program previously initiated by the school.
8.	Youghiogheny River Environment & Education Center “Learning the Yough From the Yough (LTYFTY)”	Amount of Grant $ 5,000.00
The Youghiogheny River Environment & Education Center will use the funds to aquire equipment for youth and adult learning programs. Programs at the Center will focus on boating safety, recreational boating, and fishing. Local school students will be will be provided release time during spring and fall class periods to attend hands-on training provided by PFBC-certified instructors. Programs aligned to state academic standards will be provided concerning water safety, fly fishing, fish identification, water quality monitoring, non-point source pollution and flora and fauna identification.
9.	Perseus House Charter School of Excellence, Maritime Center “Keeping Kids Afloat”	Amount of Grant $ 5,000.00
Equipment will be purchased for integration of basic boating safety and skills into the school's curriculum. Charter school students will learn basic boating safety and skills as well as learning about the Presque Isle ecosystem. These students will in turn then take skills and knowledge learned and present to other schools and community groups.
10.	Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies (BCMS) “S.A.F.E.! Safety Afloat for Everyone”	Amount of Grant $ 4,985.00
BCMS will use the grant funds to purchase five beginner level kayaks and two canoes to use with students in grades K-12 at their waterfront campus during the warmer summer months, and at local swimming pools in the colder months. They will teach the PFBC's Boating and Water Safety Awareness course. They will reach an audience that most probably would not have access to the water any other way.
11.	West Shore School District “PA Fish & Boat Commission Boating and Safety Awareness Course”	Amount of Grant $ 4,650.00
West Shore School District has been a role model for others, demonstrating how the PFBC’s BWSA course can be integrated into the school curriculum. Grant funds will enable the district to replace worn equipment used in offering this training. All 6th grade students in the school district complete the PFBC Boating and Safety Awareness course. They receive practical training in their natatorium, and demonstrate proficiency in boating during a trip to Pinchot Park. The monies will be used to purchase the needed equipment to continue to offer this program.
12.	Donegal Experiential Education Program (DEEP), Donegal High School “PA Fish & Boat Commission’s Boating and Water Safety Awareness Program”	Amount of Grant $ 2,000.00
The grant monies will be used to purchase equipment necessary to offer the PFBC's BWSA course and teach paddling basics. The equipment will be used for years to come by new high school classes each year.
13.	Warren County Conservation District “Watersheds and Their Importance to You”	Amount of Grant $ 2,500.00
The district will use the grant funds to purchase fishing and boating equipment. The equipment will be used as part of a camp focusing on watersheds. Participants will receive training in basic fishing and paddling skills, as well as spending time on the water.
14.	Girard School District “Elk Creek Fishing Program”	Amount of Grant $ 2,500.00
The district will use the funds to purchase fishing equipment used in a classroom-based fishing course. The program will include instruction regarding multiple types of fishing experiences to students in the Girard School District in grades 9-12.
15.	Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh “Fishing is “FUN”damental Sportfishing Program”	Amount of Grant $ 3,094.00
Grant funds will be used to purchase adaptive fishing equipment for use in angler education programs for children with disabilities.
16.	Venture Outdoors “Urban Fishing and Aquatic Ed”	Amount of Grant $ 5,000.00
Venture Outdoors will use grant funds to purchase an enclosed trailer and equipment to assist their efforts to take fishing and boating programs to people at a range of urban sites. Target audiences for these programs include urban youth and community groups, as well as urban families.
17.	National Wild Turkey Federation “Fish Safe – Training for the Disabled”	Amount of Grant $ 4,000.00
Funds will be used to purchase equipment and materials for 10 events hosted by the Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF Program in Pennsylvania. These events are held across the state and are part of a larger national initiative by the Federation. Participants learn to use adaptive equipment, basic fishing skills and safety.
18.	Lycoming College “LYCO (Lycoming Fly Fishing Club) and Fly Fishing (Class within the Dept. of Physical Education)”	Amount of Grant $ 2,000.00
The College will use funding to support fly fishing courses, offered through the Department of Physical Education as well as support the formation of a fly fishing club serving beginning anglers.

RELATED