New DNR small grants program designed to help local organizations

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New DNR small grants program designed to help local organizations
(Released January 27, 2011)


The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has created a new small-grants program to help clubs and organizations that deliver programs that recruit and retain hunters and anglers.

More information: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/harr/index.html

 
Under the program, the DNR will provide grants of up to $2,000 annually to organizations that offer hunting and fishing clinics, seminars, mentored events, fishing and hunting educational camps or other innovative activities. The grants program represents yet another DNR strategy to address a decline in hunting and angling participation.

“Minnesota has a strong hunting and fishing tradition, in part because many community-based clubs offer introductory experiences for youth and families,” said C.B. Bylander, DNR Fish and Wildlife Division outreach chief. “This new grants program is designed to help others offer similar events or support existing events that could reach even more people with additional financial assistance.”

A total of $40,000 will be available during the first funding cycle. The grants come from existing Fish and Wildlife Division funding for mentoring and outreach. The DNR will accept grant applications through March 11. Grant guidelines, criteria and application materials can be found on the DNR website or by contacting Jay Johnson, DNR hunting recruitment and retention coordinator, at jay.johnson@state.mn.us Grant recipients will be announced by June 1.

Recruitment grants are intended to motivate a person to participate in hunting and fishing, or at a minimum develop a positive opinion toward hunting and fishing. Retention grants are intended to extend a person’s participation and support of hunting and fishing.

The DNR has become very active in hunting and angling “recruitment and retention” in recent years. In addition to newly created youth, family and women’s hunting and fishing activities, the agency has implemented a popular archery in the schools program and expanded its aquatic educational offerings.

“At its heart, this new grants program is about building outreach capacity in local organizations that want connect kids to nature through the activities of hunting and angling,” said Bylander.