LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Economic Development Commission Division of Rural Services has awarded grants totaling $502,838.41 to promote wildlife education and improve school conservation programs to 183 schools, school districts and conservation districts in 65 Arkansas counties.The list includes 22 grants in North Central Arkansas.
Hackler Intermediate School
$665.85 to purchase owl pellets.
$421.85 to purchase items for bird habitat: suet, house, seeds and feeders.
$282.52 to purchase materials for a butterfly garden.
$353.71 to construct an outdoor weather station.
$584.10 to purchase owl pellets.
$396.11 to purchase items for a butterfly habitat (larva and food).
$500.79 to purchase materials for their butterfly garden.
$10,120.80 to purchase AYSSP materials.
$4,363.57 to purchase items for various field trips (fuel and ticket admissions). They are also asking for funding for tents,
paddles, life jackets, kayak (1), fire starter, compass, paracord and a water purifier.Baxter County Conservation District
$5,887.58 to purchase AYSSP materials.
Boone County
Harrison Middle School
$393.20 to purchase AYSSP materials.
Alpena School District
$1,380 to purchase ANASP materials (bows).
Fulton County
Salem High School
$3,498.89 in funding to purchase AYSSP materials.
Izard County
Melbourne School District
$2,727.20 to purchase AYSSP materials.
$2,500 to purchase an archery starter kit.
Melbourne Elementary School
$1,000 to purchase materials for outdoor learning including animal stencils, rubbing plates, colored pencils and instruction
booklets.
Izard County Consolidated School District
$1,681.40 to construct an outdoor classroom with picnic tables, garden beds and polinator gardens.
Marion County
Crooked Creek Conservation District
$2,000 in funding to purchase AYSSP materials.
Newton County
Jasper High School
$4,895.10 to purchase AYSSP materials to include a solar panel kit (for machine), lumber and plywood (trap machine box), and
other items such as ammo and shooting vests.
Searcy County
Marshall Elementary School
$3,432.61 to purchase materials for an outdoor classroom: picnic table, umbrella and stand, pollinator garden bed, rain
barrels and potting mix.
$482.53 to purchase materials for an outdoor garden.
Stone County
Stone County Conservation District
$6,516.12 to purchase items for their outdoor wildlife youth conservation workshops to include: raccoon traps, dog
proof trap set tool, lure, snare, machete and hatchet, hunting face masks and gloves.
These grants are funded by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission through fines collected from hunting and fishing violations. Only money collected in the county where the violation occurred may be used as grant funds for that county.
“Contrary to what some Arkansans may think, the AGFC never sees a single penny from citations our officers write,” AGFC Director Austin Booth says. “Instead, that money is invested in the children of that county to help instill that love of the outdoors that makes Arkansans unique.”
All schools in the state are eligible to participate in the program. The funding has helped schools create and maintain archery, fishing, and competitive shooting sports programs. Schools also have used the money to help improve wildlife education by purchasing educational materials, materials for the creation of indoor and outdoor habitats, lab supplies, and field trips to AGFC nature and education centers. Conservation districts have used the funding to help promote wildlife conservation awareness in the communities by hosting environmental education days and fishing derbies for children of all ages.
“Arkansans are fortunate to live in a state with abundant wildlife and outdoor recreational opportunities,” says Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston. “There is so much we can learn just by getting out and experiencing the wonders found in nature all around us. These grants not only help broaden minds and economic development, but they also provide opportunities for volunteerism and community involvement, all of which make us a more attractive state for business and pleasure.”
Outdoor education plays a vital role in understanding the need for conservation and participation in the outdoors, according to AGFC Chief of Education Tabbi Kinion.
“The AGFC is happy to partner with Rural Services on this program,” Kinion says. “Thousands of Arkansas students will be outdoors or having hands-on experiences in nature centers, learning and perfecting skills. These grants offer the opportunity to learn about wildlife habitat and conservation as part of the Arkansas school experience.”
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