AFTCO Awards $25,000 in Conservation Grants to B.A.S.S. Nation Clubs in 2024
AFTCO, a company that upholds its longstanding commitment to conservation has awarded six Conservation Grants to B.A.S.S. Nation Clubs in 2024. This year’s total contribution of $25, 000 will be distributed among six recipients. Since the program’s inception in 2018, AFTCO has contributed over $145, 000 to support these initiatives.
The Purpose of the Grants
AFTCO’s goal is to enhance aquatic habitats across various reservoirs and lakes, restore native vegetation, improve fish habitats, increase angler education, and promote collaborative conservation efforts. Coordinated locally, these programs couldn’t be done without the collaborative efforts of B. A. S. S. Nation chapters, governmental fishing agencies, local businesses, and the invaluable support of volunteers and youth organizations.
The Grant Recipients
AFTCO has selected six B.A.S.S. Nation clubs to receive grants. They are:
- Banner Creek Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Project with Leavenworth Bass Club
- Lake Brownwood Structural Fish Habitat Revitalization Project with Texas B.A.S.S Nation
- Cottage Grove Reservoir Low Water Habitat Improvement Project with Oregon B.A.S.S. Nation
- Tennessee Reservoir Enhancement Project with Tennessee B.A.S.S Nation
- Georgia B.A.S.S. Nation Youth Fishing Enhancement Project
Banner Creek Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Project with Leavenworth Bass Club
The Leavenworth Bass Club will establish native aquatic vegetation along three miles of the currently barren shoreline at Banner Creek Reservoir in Holton, Kansas. A greenhouse at Perry State Park will be built to propagate plants which will be transplanted into the reservoir from 2024 to 2026. The greenhouse can produce nearly 3,000 plants per year. Monitoring will be conducted through presence-absence surveys, bathymetric mapping, and snorkel assessments to track the spread and survival of vegetation until 2031. Youth anglers will assist with transplantation, and a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) biologist will educate local high school students on the importance of native aquatic plants.
Lake Brownwood Structural Fish Habitat Revitalization Project with Texas B.A.S.S Nation
Lake Brownwood is a major destination for tournament bass fishing in western Texas. The reservoir has a history of fluctuating water levels and much of it is devoid of aquatic vegetation and woody habitat. The Texas B.A.S.S Nation will install natural and manmade fish habitat structures across three designated areas of the reservoir. Along with the AFTCO grant, financial contributions and resources from partners such as the Brown County Water Improvement District, Brownwood Bass Club, Major League Fishing Black Bass Stewardship Group, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will support this project. The project will engage youths, high school teams, participating adults, club members, and community members in ongoing construction and other habitat enhancement efforts.
Cottage Grove Reservoir Low Water Habitat Improvement Project with Oregon B.A.S.S. Nation
The Oregon B.A.S.S. Nation will improve low water habitat at Cottage Grove Reservoir through the implementation of Spider Blocks and Stake Blocks. The project plans to conduct this enhancement in phases over a three-to-five-year period, placing 200 blocks annually, with 100 blocks designated for Cottage Grove Reservoir and 100 for Fern Ridge Reservoir to help with the reduced low water habitat. Additionally, the project emphasizes youth angler involvement by collaborating with local bass clubs to engage young participants in the construction and placement of the blocks.
Tennessee Reservoir Enhancement Project with Tennessee B.A.S.S Nation
The Tennessee B.A.S.S Nation aims to enhance reservoir habitats across the state through angler education, habitat construction, and partnership development. Collaborating with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and various angler groups, the project targets multiple reservoirs in different regions of Tennessee, deploying a variety of artificial structures and recycled Christmas trees to improve fish habitats. The AFTCO grant will be used to fund the materials needed to construct fish attractors and habitat structures. Hundreds of junior and high school teams will participate in habitat construction and clean up efforts, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Georgia B.A.S.S. Nation Youth Fishing Enhancement Project
The goal of the Georgia B.A.S.S. Nation Youth Fishing Enhancement Project is to enhance current fish care techniques at youth events, recognizing the growing popularity of youth fishing and the importance of preserving the bass population. With the AFTCO grant, they plan to invest in equipment such as oxygen gas cylinders, air blowers, and dissolved oxygen meters to optimize the fish care environment. Furthermore, this project will educate youth anglers on fish care practices and set an example by implementing the best possible weigh-in system, aiming to instill a sense of responsibility and care for the resource among young anglers.
Conclusion
AFTCO’s continued commitment to conservation is unmatched, and their support for the B.A.S.S. Nation Clubs has resulted in many successful conservation projects across the country. The grants awarded this year will contribute towards improving the quality of fisheries, educating young anglers, and promoting collaborative conservation efforts that will benefit both the fish and the angling community in the long run.
Originally Post From https://thebasscast.com/2024/05/31/aftco-announces-2024-b-a-s-s-conservation-grant-recipients/
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