Fish America offers Conservation Grants for stock enhancement, freshwater fisheries habitat restoration, non-habitat marine and estuarine enhancements, and family fishing waters improvement projects you can apply for year-round.

The average conservation grant is $7,500 with priority going to hands-on, action-oriented projects that have clear and identifiable benefits to sport fish populations and the sport of fishing. While sound research should be the basis for all grant applications, the Conservation Projects Committee only funds projects that directly enhance water quality, habitat and/or sport fish populations.

Funds for non-labor costs are provided for the following: habitat improvement; streambank stabilization; aeration systems; fishing reefs; silt removal; planting of trees and vegetation; fish passage improvements (i.e., culvert removal/replacement, fish ladders installation/repair, dam removal); hatchery construction/renovation; stocking and rearing projects with long-term value; litter cleanups; heavy equipment rental and operation (i.e., removal of silt from fishing ponds, construction of fish ladders and bypasses, demolition and removal of dams, placement of large wood).

For more information on this and other grants available from Fish America, visit the Fish America Conservation Grants webpage.         (Courtesy Watershed Alliance of York)

12/8/2006