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BASS Conservation Updates
$5 Conservation Check-off
This spring BASS initiated a Conservation Check-Off program where new or renewing
BASS members could contribute $5 to be used for BASS and BASS Federation
Nation conservation efforts. That was followed up with an ad in BASS Times
and a link on Bassmaster.com so that anyone could donate $5 for BASS Conservation.
Check-Off money will be used to help to finance
the $1,00 conservation departments each State B.A.S.S. Federation
Nation will receive the beginning of 2007. This has been hugely
successful, with nearly 20% of new or renewing members electing
to contribute to the fund. As of July 17th, we have received 1773
donations for a total of $8,865. We're off to a great start, but
it could be even better - encourage your members to go to Bassmaster.com,
click on Conservation, and look for the "Donate $5 to Conservation" link.
$1,000 Habitat Conservation Endowments
In January 2007, each state B.A.S.S. Federation Nation will receive a $1,000
endowment to be used toward habitat conservation projects in your state.
The money can be used to buy supplies or equipment for habitat projects that
your state or club may want to conduct or as a match toward larger habitat
projects.
The only requirements that we have is that you keep us informed
(a short paragraph and photo is sufficient) as to how the money
is spent. We want to highlight your efforts in our publications
and on the website, in addition to letting all the partners of
the National Fish Habitat Action Plan know of the BASS Federation
Nations' contribution to this historical effort. And we want the
Check-Off donors to know where their contributions went in their
state.
BASS Federation Nation Conservation Scholarships
In January 2007, we will also be launching the new Conservation Scholarship
program. The four-year undergraduate scholarship ($2,000 annually, one for
each Division) and the two-year graduate scholarship ($5,000 annually, one
nationally) are only available for BFN members or their immediate family
members. However, several Conservation Directors have suggested that only
BFN members be eligible for the grants, given that anyone can join the BFN.
We would like your feedback.
As for the applications and guidelines, they are being finalized
and will be sent to you (BFN Presidents) and the CD's for review
prior to the announcement of the grogram in August.
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