Outdoor Nation, a national initiative connecting the Millennial Generation to the outdoors, and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), a nonprofit whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, announced the winners of the Take Me Fishing Awards. Ten community-based, youth-led project ideas were selected to receive $2,500 of seed funding along with technical support and guidance from The Outdoor Foundation.
Take Me Fishing Award recipients include:
- American Canoe Association, Fredericksburg, VA
- Cast Hope, Chico, CA
- Friends of Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge, Las Vegas, NM
- Friends of the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, Neosho, MO
- Georgia Wildlife Federation, Covington, GA
- Kyle Miller, Plano, TX
- Lake Champlain International, Inc. Colchester, VT
- Refuge Friends Inc., Bloomington, MN
- Robert Benson, Hyrum, UT
- Trout Unlimited, Truckee River Chapter, Truckee, CA
Were pleased to once again work with Outdoor Nation to support youth-led fishing and boating programs that advance our mission to increase participation, as well as increase awareness about the importance of aquatic conservation, said Frank Peterson, RBFF President and CEO. Fishing is a top gateway activity, spurring involvement in other outdoor interests, and these innovative projects are a great way to connect youth with nature.
Through partnerships like this one, Outdoor Nation is providing the resources and funding needed to empower the next generation of outdoor advocates and leaders, said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation, the organization that started the Outdoor Nation movement. The Take Me Fishing Awards enable young people to pioneer projects that increase fishing participation and engage new diverse audiences in outdoor activities.
Outdoor Nation is committed to increasing and expanding youth participation in outdoor recreation through education, engagement and action in order to cultivate a healthier, more active generation. During the past year, Outdoor Nation has awarded more than $250,000 to young adults for projects that reconnect young people to the outdoors.
