AFTCO Awards Conservation Grants to B.A.S.S. Nation Clubs in 2024

AFTCO, a company with a longstanding commitment to conservation, has awarded six Conservation Grants to B.A.S.S. Nation Clubs in 2024. This year, a total of $25,000 will be distributed among the recipients, with each club receiving a portion. Since the program’s inception in 2018, AFTCO has contributed over $145,000 to support these initiatives. The six recipients chosen for the 2024 grants are:

Banner Creek Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Project with Leavenworth Bass Club
Texas B.A.S.S. Nation Fish Habitat Revitalization Project at Lake Brownwood
Oregon B.A.S.S. Nation’s Enhancements for Cottage Grove Reservoir
Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation’s Reservoir Habitat Enhancement Project
Georgia B.A.S.S. Nation’s Fish Care and Release Technology

Enhancing Aquatic Habitats Across Reservoirs and Lakes

The goals of these programs include enhancing aquatic habitats across various reservoirs and lakes, restoring native vegetation, improving fish habitats, increasing angler education, and promoting 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.

According to Gene Gilliland, B.A.S.S. Conservation Director, “These grants are a great example of the efforts our B.A.S.S. Nation clubs are putting forth to enhance the fishing in their local lakes and reservoirs. Our state chapters are blessed to be associated with a company like AFTCO that takes conservation to heart. That continued commitment to the B.A.S.S. Nation and to the fishery resources that our sport depends on is unmatched.”

Banner Creek Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Project with Leavenworth Bass Club

Led by the Leavenworth Bass Club, the goal of the first project is to establish native aquatic vegetation along three miles of the currently barren shoreline at Banner Creek Reservoir in Holton, Kansas. This will be achieved by building a greenhouse at Perry State Park where plants will be propagated and transplanted back 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 the 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.

Texas B.A.S.S. Nation Fish Habitat Revitalization Project at Lake Brownwood

The goal of the third project is to revitalize the structural fish habitat in Lake Brownwood, 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. Spearheaded by Texas B.A.S.S. Nation, this project involves installing natural and man-made fish habitat structures across three designated areas of the reservoir. This will restore the structural fish habitat that has been lost and improve fishing for all anglers. 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. TBN Youth Directors will engage youth, high school teams, participating adults, club members, and encourage other project partners and the local community to involve youth and families in this effort.

Oregon B.A.S.S. Nation’s Enhancements for Cottage Grove Reservoir

Led by Oregon B.A.S.S. Nation, the fourth project aims to 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 3-5 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 B.A.S.S. Nation’s Reservoir Habitat Enhancement Project

For the fifth project, 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. The project also emphasizes the involvement of youth anglers, with hundreds of junior and high school teams participating in habitat construction and cleanup efforts, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

Georgia B.A.S.S. Nation’s Fish Care and Release Technology Project

The final grant recipient in 2024 is Georgia B.A.S.S. Nation. The goal of their project is to enhance current fish care techniques at their youth events, recognizing the growing popularity of youth fishing and the importance of preserving the bass population. With a solid system already in place, they aim to improve their weigh-in system by incorporating pure oxygen and advanced aeration methods to enhance fish care/release tanks, allowing for more recuperation time for the fish before release. 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 Conservation Grants are a great example of the positive impact that can be made when companies and organizations come together with a shared goal of protecting and enhancing our natural resources. Through these projects, B.A.S.S. Nation Clubs are making significant contributions to the conservation of fish habitats and furthering the education of young anglers.

Originally Post From https://thebasscast.com/2024/05/31/aftco-announces-2024-b-a-s-s-conservation-grant-recipients/

AFTCO Unveils 2024 B.A.S.S. Conservation Grant Winners on The Bass Cast