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Funding Available for Fishing and Boating Education Programs
by Mary Jane Williamson

November 9, 2006—Alexandria, VA—The Future Fisherman Foundation (F3) has $200,000 available in grant funding for physical education teachers to incorporate fishing and boating education into their curricula, offering up to $5,000 in individual grants to help foster active leisure lifestyles and ethical attitudes about the outdoors.

Grant monies can be used for fishing and boating equipment, field trips, curriculum materials and other resources to assist instructors in carrying out fishing and boating education. Since its inception in 2003, the Physh Ed Grants Initiative has supported 152 schools in 39 states with more than $700,000 in grants. The program was developed through a partnership between the foundation, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).

“We’ve had wonderful success in exposing and engaging children all across the country to fishing and boating,” said Michael Bolinder, executive director of the Future Fisherman Foundation. “Fortunately, enthusiastic teachers and committed partners have enabled this program to introduce students throughout the nation to fishing and boating.”

In addition to grants, sponsoring organizations bring access to a nationwide network of outdoor educators, conservation groups and youth organizations that offer a variety of versatile fishing and boating education programs that can be tailored for teachers’ specific interests and needs.

“The Physh Ed Grants Initiative is an excellent way to bring students close to aquatic resources while learning about life long sports like fishing and boating,” said Jim Stewart, Manager of Education and Outreach for RBFF.

The partnership also provides training, access to discounted fishing gear and equipment and ongoing guidance from experts. A mandatory training workshop for grant recipients provides instruction on angling and boating skills, safety and ethics; basic equipment set-up and maintenance; fish and their habitat needs; taking part in community conservation efforts; developing partnerships for access to fishing and boating sites; and recruiting long-term mentors for children.

Applications must be received at the foundation office on or before Friday, March 2, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. All applicants will be notified in mid-May on the status of their grant proposals. The training workshop for grant recipients will be held in mid-July to help prepare teachers for the upcoming school year. Partners can also link teachers with state outdoor education professionals and community groups with tried-and-true fishing and boating education programs to help in the application process and ensure program success. The foundation staff is also available to provide technical assistance to complete the grant application.

To obtain grant application forms or for more information on the Physh Ed Grants Initiative and other angler education programs and services, please visit www.futurefisherman.org or contact PE Grants Coordinator Jesse Graytock, 703-519-9691, x224.

The Future Fisherman Foundation and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation provide a wealth of information on where to fish or boat, how to get started, how to obtain a fishing license and local fishing and boating regulations on their respective websites. For more information please visit www.futurefisherman.org and www.takemefishing.org.

Grant recipients for the 2006-2007 school year include: St. Pius X Catholic School (Mobile, AL), O’Rourke Elementary (Mobile, AL), Crossroads Alternative School (Rogers, AR), Holt Middle School (Fayetteville, AR), Pacheco School (Redding, CA), San Miguel Avenue Elementary (South Gate, CA), Anderson New Technology High School (Anderson, CA), Acres Green Elementary (Littleton, CO), Montrose High School (Montrose, CO), Garden Park High School (Garden Park, CO), Gunnison Valley School (Gunnison, CO), Gunnison High School (Gunnison, CO), Troy Junior Senior High School (Troy, ID), Independence Alternative High School (Blackfoot, ID), Riverside Brookefield High School (Riverside, IL), Minooka Community High School (Minooka, IL), Woodstock High School (Woodstock, IL), Prince George’s County Adapted PE Program (Clinton, MD), Pillager Public School (Pillager, MN), Jefferson City High School (Jefferson City, MO), Florence-Carlton High School (Florence, MT), Cartoogechaye Elementary School (Franklin, NC), Atlantic Christian School (Egg Harbor Township, NJ), Cobleskill-Richmondville High School (Richmondville, NY), Homer High School (Homer, NY), Mechanicsburg High School (Mechanicsburg, PA), Perseus House Charter School (Erie, PA), Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (Pittsburgh, PA), Wolfcreek and Rockyford Elementary (Pine Ridge, SD), Space Center Intermediate (Houston, TX), Stephenville High School (Stephenville, TX), Katy High School (Katy, TX), Cache Valley Learning Center (South Logan, UT), Robious Middle School (Midlothian, VA), Stonewall Jackson Middle School (Mechanicsville, VA), Tahoma High School (Covington, WA), Holmen Middle School (Holmen, WI), Barron High School (Barron, WI), Malcolm Shabazz Alternative High School (Madison, WI), Prairie Farm School (Prairie Farm, WI), and Lourdes High School (Oshkosh, WI).

The Future Fisherman Foundation is the fishing recruitment and education arm of the American Sportfishing Association, the sportfishing industry’s trade association. The Future Fisherman Foundation unites the sportfishing industry with a nationwide network of state outdoor educators, national conservation groups, and youth organizations, offering a variety of fishing and boating programs, equipment, and services to community groups and schools across the country. These efforts help people of all ages have safe and enjoyable fishing experiences that foster conservation ethics.

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