​HARRISBURG, Pa. (July 19) — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has awarded $203,527 in grant funding to support 19 education projects in 17 counties that foster interest in fishing and boating in Pennsylvania through the R3 (recruitment, retention, and reactivation) Education Grant Program.  One statewide project was also awarded.  The R3 grants are awarded to recipients to help increase the number of anglers and boaters in Pennsylvania.  Efforts include recruiting new participants, retaining existing participants, and reactivating former participants in fishing and boating recreation.​

Last year, the PFBC awarded $187,625 in grant funding to support 15 education projects in 11 counties and 2 statewide efforts.

“Providing the people of Pennsylvania with education and outreach opportunities for fishing and boating is paramount to the work of the Fish and Boat Commission.  Having trusted partners who carry out and believe in the work, too, means more people will experience all Pennsylvania’s waterways have to offer,” said Kim Garris, PFBC Director of Outreach, Education and Marketing.  “This grant program supports our partners’ work to get and keep people involved in fishing and boating, promoting healthier lifestyles and a love and appreciation of the natural world.”

Recipients of the PFBC R3 Education 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, 2025.

The 2024 R3 Education Grants include (by county):

• Allegheny: Steel City Rowing Club, Paddling Fleet Revitalization
• Allegheny: Venture Outdoors, Inc., Vamos Afuera, Pittsburgh
• Blair:  Claysburg-Kimmel School District, Female-Friendly Fly-Fishing Trip
• Butler: Seneca Valley School District, SV Fishery
• Centre: Bellefonte Area School District, Back to Nature Fly Fishing and Fly Tying
• Chester: Stroud Water Research Center, Inc., Connecting Youth and Families to Boating and Angling Opportunities in Local Public Parks
• Clarion: Clarion Conservation District, The Wonderful World of Fishes
• Crawford: Conneaut School District, CAMS Fishing for Fun
• Fayette: Mountain Watershed Association Inc., Expanding Access to Outdoor Recreation: Engaging Youth and Families in Fishing & Boating Activities in the Youghiogheny River Watershed
• Forest: Forest Area School District, Forest Area School District Stream and River Exploration
• Lackawanna/Wayne: Camp Freedom Inc., Camp Freedom Freshwater Fishing Project
• Lancaster: Glossbrenner United Methodist Church, Glossbrenner Experiential, Adventure and Responsible Unique Pursuits – Department of Experiential Education & Programming (GEAR-UP/DEEP)
• Lawrence: Ellwood City Area School District, Reel Adventures: Hands-On Fishing Seminar for Ellwood City Students
• Montgomery: College Settlement of Philadelphia, Second Century of Fishing on Friendship Lake- Teaching Thousands of Underserved Youth and Girls How to Fish
• Montgomery: Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, Floating Classroom Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program 2.0
• Montour: Danville Area School District, Danville High School Fly Fishing Club
• Potter: Northern Potter School District, Northern Potter Fly Fishing Club: Casting Connections – Exploring Fly Fishing and Tying Together
• Statewide: Pennsylvania Trout, Inc., Supporting & Expanding Trout in the Classroom
• Westmoreland: Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited, Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited Education and Outreach Programs for Schools, Scouts, Adults, Military Veterans and First Responders

More information on the R3 Education Grant Program can be found on the PFBC website (FishandBoat.com).