HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has allocated $203,527 in grant funding to support 19 educational projects across 17 counties. These grants aim to boost interest in fishing and boating through the R3 (recruitment, retention, and reactivation) Education Grant Program. One additional statewide project also received funding.
Last year, the PFBC awarded $187,625 to 15 educational projects in 11 counties and two statewide efforts.
“Providing the people of Pennsylvania with education and outreach opportunities for fishing and boating is paramount to the work of the Fish and Boat Commission,” said Kim Garris, PFBC Director of Outreach, Education and Marketing. “This grant program supports our partners’ work to get and keep people involved in fishing and boating, promoting healthier lifestyles and a love and appreciation of the natural world.”
The R3 grants are intended to increase the number of anglers and boaters by recruiting new participants, retaining existing ones, and reactivating those who have lapsed.
Successful applicants demonstrated innovative ways their projects would advance R3 initiatives and connect Pennsylvanians with the state’s waterways. The funds will be used to purchase equipment, provide transportation, and cover other costs associated with educational programs. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2025.
Here are the 2024 R3 Education Grant recipients by county:
- Allegheny: Steel City Rowing Club, Venture Outdoors, Inc.
- Blair: Claysburg-Kimmel School District
- Butler: Seneca Valley School District
- Centre: Bellefonte Area School District
- Chester: Stroud Water Research Center, Inc.
- Clarion: Clarion Conservation District
- Crawford: Conneaut School District
- Fayette: Mountain Watershed Association Inc.
- Forest: Forest Area School District
- Lackawanna/Wayne: Camp Freedom Inc.
- Lancaster: Glossbrenner United Methodist Church
- Lawrence: Ellwood City Area School District
- Montgomery: College Settlement of Philadelphia, Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy
- Montour: Danville Area School District
- Potter: Northern Potter School District
- Statewide: Pennsylvania Trout, Inc.
- Westmoreland: Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited
These initiatives aim to foster an appreciation for Pennsylvania’s natural resources and promote recreational activities that contribute to healthier lifestyles.
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