BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. LLC announced today the launch of a new B.A.S.S. Nation Conservation Fund in the FishAmerica Foundation (FAF) at the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and is now seeking proposals.
The deadline for grant proposals is Oct. 1, 2013. Awards will be announced at the Bassmaster Classic to be held Feb. 21-23 in Birmingham, Ala.
The B.A.S.S. Nation Conservation Fund is to be used by B.A.S.S. Nation state clubs for activities, projects and programs related to fisheries and aquatic resource conservation and research consistent with FAF and B.A.S.S. funding criteria, said Noreen Clough, B.A.S.S. national conservation director. The fund, which will target projects that benefit recreational black bass species and their habitats, will be administered jointly by B.A.S.S. and FAF. Donations are being accepted from sponsors, corporations, private individuals and others to help build this outstanding program, Clough said.
The fund will support grants for local efforts to accomplish meaningful fisheries management projects that include participation in research, as well as on-the-ground restoration of lake and river habitats, including large freshwater ponds and streams important to freshwater fish and aquatic ecosystems. Emphasis is on using grass-roots approaches to restore fisheries resources and habitat across America, including the Great Lakes region and in the Canadian province of Ontario.
A donation of $6,500 from Simms Fishing Products provided the seed money for the program.
“This partnership with FishAmerica Foundation provides B.A.S.S. with the unique chance to expand our reach in on-the-ground conservation opportunities,” Clough said. “Grants will allow B.A.S.S. clubs to expand their capabilities for fisheries and fish habitat conservation. We appreciate the donation Simms made to kick off the valuable fundraising needed to look to the future in protecting our fisheries.”
Under the program, grants will be provided on a one-to-one matching ratio. Clubs can match the grants with an equivalent value in money, materials or in-kind services.
“Working with B.A.S.S chapters to improve fisheries habitat is a natural, and the FishAmerica Foundation looks forward to assisting B.A.S.S. in its long tradition of improving fish habitat and investing in the future of fisheries,” said Gordon Robertson, vice president of the American Sportfishing Association. “The FishAmerica Foundation is pleased to partner with B.A.S.S and its many B.A.S.S. Nation chapters.”
For further information contact Noreen Clough at 352-404-9956, or email nclough@bassmaster.com.
B.A.S.S is a membership organization with approximately 500,000 members nationwide, including members organized into clubs affiliated with B.A.S.S. Nation chapters in 47 states, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Japan.
In addition to participation in competitive fishing events, these B.A.S.S. Nation members are dedicated to fisheries conservation and youth education activities. Although B.A.S.S. offers an array of services to its members, it remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access.
The FishAmerica Foundation, the conservation and research foundation of the American Sportfishing Association, is dedicated to keeping our fish and waters healthy. FAF unites the sportfishing industry with conservation groups, government agencies, fishing tournament clubs and organizations, corporations and charitable foundations, investing in fisheries conservation and research across the country.
FAF’s matching grants empower citizen conservationists in their own communities. Since 1983, FAF has invested more than $11 million in 1,000 fisheries conservation and research projects nationwide.
