HARRISBURG, Pa. (August 25) — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today awarded $160,000 to support 14 education projects in ten counties, including four statewide efforts. This grant program is part of the PFBC's efforts to recruit new anglers and boaters, retain existing participants in these activities, and reactivate former anglers and boaters who may have lapsed in participation. This ongoing strategic effort is collectively known as R3.
"Education programs play a role in R3 by providing experiences that increase knowledge and skills, facilitate social support, and provide information on opportunities close to home," said Amber Nabors, PFBC Director of Outreach, Education, and Marketing. "When we encourage people to get involved and stay involved, fishing and boating can become lifelong outdoor recreational activities that bring people together in our communities and benefit physical and mental health."
Recipients of the grants, including local governments and eligible nonprofit groups, successfully applied for funding to assist with the development and delivery of new or expanding education programs that contribute to the PFBC's R3 efforts.
Funds awarded through the program will be used to purchase equipment, supplies, and educational resources, provide transportation, and cover other costs associated with the development and delivery of R3 education programs.
All projects funded for this round of grants must be completed by July 31, 2021.
The 2020 R3 Education Grants include (by county):
- Allegheny: Fern Hollow Nature Center, Fishing to Understand Nature Program and Youth Club
- Berks: Alvernia University & Alvernia Fishing Club, Alvernia Inter City Youth Fishing Program
- Bucks: Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Recruiting Underrepresented Communities to Celebrate Restored Urban Fisheries
- Chester: Stroud Water Research Center, Growing Diversity and Inclusion in On-the-Water Angling and Boating Education
- Erie: City of Erie (Erie Police Department), Erie Youth PAL Fishing Program
- Lackawanna: Lackawanna Trout Unlimited, Boy & Girl Scout Fly-fishing
- Montgomery: Schuylkill River Greenways, Schuylkill River-Family and Youth Intro to Kayaking Program
- Northumberland: Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, Helping Engage Our River's Youth with Nature (HERYN) Program
- Washington: Intermediate Unit 1, New Anglers for Stream Health: Engaging students enrolled in alternative education and those with special needs.
- York: Christian School Association of York, Incorporating fishing education throughout the current STEM program offered to students 3rd through 12th grade.
Statewide Programs:
- PA Council of Trout Unlimited, PA STREAM Girls Youth Education Initiative
- PA Council of Trout Unlimited, Trout in the Classroom
- PA Council of Trout Unlimited, PATU Women, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative 2020-2021
- Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society/Get Outdoors PA, Get Outdoors PA Adaptive Paddling Education Program
##
Media Contact:
Mike Parker
Communications Director
(717) 585-3076
michparker@pa.gov