Is your B.A.S.S. Nation club or state chapter planning a project that will make a difference in conserving our fishing resources and involves members of Junior Bassmaster, high school or college fishing teams? If so, apply for a grant from the Shimano/B.A.S.S. Youth Conservation Initiative
and your project could be awarded from $500 to several thousand dollars. The deadline is Nov. 30.
“Through Shimano’s incredible generosity and commitment to conservation and youth, we will again this year be able to provide one grant per B.A.S.S. Nation division, if we get suitable applicants,” said Gene Gilliland, B.A.S.S. conservation director.
The grant program, unveiled at the 2014 Bassmaster Classic in February, is designed to focus on involving young B.A.S.S. members and B.A.S.S.-affiliated clubs in projects to conserve and restore fisheries habitat and other aquatic resources.
Recipients in 2014 were the Connecticut B.A.S.S. Nation for enhancing habitat on urban fishing ponds, the Georgia B.A.S.S. Nation for setting up a nursery to raise native aquatic plants for reservoir restoration projects, and the New Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation for establishing aquatic vegetation and installing fish attractors in a fluctuating Southwest reservoir.
“Proposals that show the best integration of B.A.S.S. youth members, partnering with other organizations or agencies and leveraging matching funds or donated materials will receive the highest consideration,” explained Gilliland.
To apply, fill out and submit this application by Nov 30. Email a scanned PDF version of the signed application to Gene Gilliland, B.A.S.S. Conservation Director, at ggilliland@bassmaster.com.
Keep the following basic principles in mind when completing an application:
The project should make a significant contribution to the establishment, maintenance, restoration or protection of fish habitat.
The project must involve young anglers directly and in such a way as to teach the importance of resource stewardship and the leadership role that anglers play as conservationists.
The project must have the endorsement of the local fisheries management agency and work to accomplish goals of mutual benefit.
The project must be an important action to ensure sustainability of habitat features or ecosystem functions over the long term
The project should have an evaluation component to determine success.
Where possible, the project should be linked to other habitat enhancement projects on a watershed scale.
Working with partners is strongly encouraged. Obtaining matching funds and/or donations of materials and/or in-kind services will increase chances of receiving a grant award.
The project must demonstrate a good investment for Shimano and B.A.S.S. (e.g., in terms of feasibility, accountability and financial leverage).
Proposals will be judged by a panel that includes Gilliland; Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Nation director; Phil Morlock, Shimano director for environmental affairs; and other representatives from Shimano. The awards will be announced at the 2015 Bassmaster Classic in Greenville, S.C.
If you have questions, contact Gilliland at ggilliland@bassmaster.com.