Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission awards grants to support education projects

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission recently awarded $197,446 in grant funding through its R3 Education Grant Program.

Through this program, the commission will support 16 education projects in 13 counties and one statewide effort to promote new and renewed interest in fishing and boating in Pennsylvania through the recruitment of new participants, retention of existing participants, and reactivation of former participants – collectively known as “R3.”

Last year, the commission awarded $196,832 in grant funding to support 16 education projects in 10 counties. To date, those projects have reached over 11,000 participants during 184 sessions with over 700 hours of instruction.

“Opening the door and welcoming people to discover the joys of fishing and boating is among the most important work we do,” said Walt Dietz, the agency’s aquatic resources education manager.

“Finding partners that share our vision to carry out these educational efforts is essential. The experiences gained by participants in these programs can lead to healthy hobbies, a new appreciation for aquatic resources, conservation, and in many cases, set off a new passion to last a lifetime.”

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Recipients of the grant successfully applied for and demonstrated ways in which their new or expanded projects progress R3 initiatives and connect Pennsylvanians with commonwealth waterways.

Funds awarded through the grant program will be used to purchase equipment and educational resources, provide transportation, and cover other costs associated with the development and delivery of R3 education programs.

All projects funded for this round of grants must be completed by June 30, 2027.

The 2026 R3 Education Grants include (by county):

• Allegheny: Anglers Fishing Club of Pittsburgh, SMART Anglers and Catfish Fishing Skills

• Blair: Hollidaysburg Area School District, Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center’s Art & Science of Fly Fishing

• Butler: Fishing For Memories Inc., Youth Driven Fishing

• Chester: Stroud Water Research Center Inc., Canoeing and Angling Series for Underrepresented Young Adults in Outdoor Recreation

• Clarion: Keystone School District, Keystone Jr./Sr. High School Fishing Club

• Clearfield: Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District, Organization on the Water

• Dauphin: Harrisburg Area YMCA, Reel Fishing Outdoor Adventures at the YMCA

• Elk: Jim Zwald Chapter 314 of Trout Unlimited, Introduction to Fly Fishing

• Lebanon: Doc Fritchey Chapter 108 of Trout Unlimited, Learn to Fly Fish

• Luzerne: Wyoming Area School District, Fly Fishing Education Program

• Montgomery: College Settlement of Philadelphia, Strengthening Youth Fishing and Boating Education at College Settlement

• Philadelphia: CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia, Supporting Free Public Boating & Fishing Programs in Environmental Justice Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

• Philadelphia: Delaware River City Corp (d/b/a Riverfront North Partnership), Community Fishing on the Delaware River in Philadelphia

• Philadelphia: John Bartram Association (d/b/a Bartram’s Garden), Doubling Tidal Schuylkill River Access at Bartram’s Garden

• Washington: California Area School District, Reel Opportunities

• Statewide: Wildlife Leadership Academy, Stepping Stones Program, PA Bass, and PA Brookies Program Support