During the August regular meeting of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission commissioners unanimously voted to offer more than three-quarters of a million dollars from money collected through wildlife and boating violations fines to Arkansas schools through conservation education grants for the current school year. The money will be available through grants administered by the AGFC’s partner, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Department of Rural Services.
Contrary to popular belief, the AGFC doesn’t use any of the fine money collected from wildlife and boating infractions. Instead, that money is collected at the county level and earmarked for schools to use toward conservation and outdoor recreation programs to help strengthen students’ appreciation for the natural world.
“Many schools use these grants to support some of the great archery and shooting sports programs we offer through our Recreational Shooting Division,” AGFC Education Chief Mary Beth Hatch said at a briefing on Tuesday. “We anticipate many applications for these grants from our schools participating in our School of Conservation Leadership Program to help fund some of the activities required for that designation.”
An application for this grant money will be available on the Department of Rural Services website (www.arkansassedc.com/rural-services) soon. Visit www.agfc.com/educationgrants for more information about the program and qualifying activities…
