The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services are making over $690,000 available to schools across the state through conservation education grants. These funds, sourced from hunting and fishing violation fines, aim to encourage conservation and outdoor learning opportunities for students.
According to Mary Beth Hatch, AGFC Chief of Education, the grants are distributed by county based on the fine revenue generated locally, along with rollover funds from unclaimed or unallocated grants from previous years. “We actually have more than $150,000 from previous years that’s still available; just over $536,000 is from last year’s fine money,” Hatch said. If grant funds remain unused or proposed school projects encounter delays, those sums roll into the next year’s allocation for the same county.
The grant program supports conservation education initiatives that might otherwise go unfunded. Examples of programs the grants facilitate include the AGFC School of Conservation Leadership designation and extracurricular activities such as Archery in the Schools, the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program, and field trips to AGFC’s nine nature centers statewide.
“We really feel that students learn best in settings that are engaging and applicable to the real world,” Hatch explained. “These grants help create hands-on learning environments. Schools have used funds to build outdoor classrooms, purchase equipment, and sponsor trips to our nature centers or our annual Generation Conservation Summit.”
Funding is open to all Arkansas schools, with the application deadline set for November 12. Teachers and administrators can apply through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission website.
Becca Caldwell, director of the AEDC Division of Rural Services, highlighted the collaboration between agencies. “Partnering with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on the Wildlife Education Grant Program, AEDC is working to increase access to conservation education and support outdoor recreation opportunities for students across Arkansas.”
Hatch also noted the growing popularity of AGFC’s School of Conservation Leadership program. Schools have used grants to meet program requirements, such as completing conservation-focused projects and enhancing outdoor learning.
For more information, including details about available funding by county and the application process, visit agfc.com/conservationgrants.