LITTLE ROCK — More than three-quarters of a million dollars is available for Arkansas schools to teach conservation education this year, thanks to a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services to turn poaching violations into education opportunities.

All wildlife and fishing fine money collected in each Arkansas county last year has been set aside by the AGFC specifically for education grants that teachers may use to increase conservation education efforts in their schools. Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioners in August approved $777,888 to be available through grants administered by AEDC.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the grant program was one of many catalysts to engage a new audience that will form tomorrow’s conservation champions.

“Arkansas is home to some of the nation’s best rivers, lakes, and mountains – prime spots for fishing, hunting, mountain biking and so much more,” said Gov. Sanders. “By allowing our state’s schools to teach conservation education in the classroom, we are ensuring that the next generation of Arkansans is equipped to protect, preserve, and enjoy what makes The Natural State an incredible place to call home.”

Teachers and administrators have until Nov. 7 to apply for a conservation education grant atwww.arkansasedc.com/rural-services/division/grants/wildlife-education-grant.

“School conservation programs play an essential role in fostering young Arkansans’ love of our great outdoors,” said Becca Caldwell, director of AEDC’s Division of Rural Services. “Partnering with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on the Wildlife Education Grant Program, AEDC is working to increase access to conservation education and support outdoor recreation opportunities for students across Arkansas.”

The amount of money available in each county is based upon the fines collected in that county and any unused funds from previous years. Any school or conservation district in Arkansas may apply for these grants regardless of size or population.

“Many schools use these grants to support some of the great archery and shooting sports programs we offer through our Recreational Shooting Division,” AGFC Education Chief Mary Beth Hatch said at a briefing on Tuesday. “We anticipate many applications for these grants from our schools participating in our School of Conservation Leadership Program to help fund some of the activities required for that designation.”

In many rural school districts, money from these grants have played pivotal roles in offering conservation education programs that otherwise would have been cut due to a lack of funding.

“Many schools use these funds to pay for class supplies to teach conservation and outdoor recreation to students and help create a connection with nature,” Hatch said. “Archery in the Schools equipment, materials to learn about aquatic ecosystems through our Fishing in The Natural State or Stream Teams programs and expenses related to field trips to nature centers or Youth Shooting Sports tournaments are also eligible to be funded through these grants.”

Visit www.agfc.com/conservationgrants for more information on the program, a link to the application site and a county-by-county list of grant money available.