| The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is looking for fishing
and aquatic education programs that could use some financial assistance. The PFBC is seeking grant applications
from organizations and local agencies involved in offering sportfishing and aquatic resource education
programming.
Grantees can receive up to $5,000 as part of the PFBC’s Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education
Grants. This funding can be applied to the purchase of equipment, materials and costs associated with field
trips.
“Re-engaging
youth in outdoor activities is critical to the future of sportfishing and building a more environmentally
connected citizenry,” says
PFBC Executive Director Doug Austen. “Research clearly shows that good, well-structured youth fishing programs
lead to kids increasing their interest in fishing more, improving their skills, and helping them build
a greater sense of aquatic stewardship and outdoor ethics. It’s not enough for us as an agency to talk about
wanting more and better programs to involve Pennsylvania’s youth in fishing and aquatic education. Funding must
be made available for programs and services benefiting youth and this grant program is a start.”
Training workshops
to teach skills and best practices to youth leaders, purchase of equipment and materials for youth angling
education programs, and the development of materials for youth club use and support for implementation
of youth programs are other examples of activities that the Commission would like to see expanded. Funding
for such programs could be provided through enactment of House
Bill 1436. (For more information on HB
1436 visit www.legis.state.pa.)
The Commission spends about $450,000 annually on such youth education
efforts. Currently 45,000 children receive the Pennsylvania League of Angling
Youth (PLAY) newsletter from the Commission four times a year; 5,000 Pennsylvania schoolteachers 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 49 free tackle
loaner sites statewide.
The deadline for applications for Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants is December 31, 2007.
Successful applicants will be notified by April 15, 2008, and funding will be awarded four to eight
weeks after all agreements are finalized. Applications,
program rules and eligibility information are available at the Commission’s
website at www.fishandboat.com or by calling 717-705-7835. |
