IGFA Youth-Angling Strategic Partner Update

The IGFA continues to strengthen our network of strategic partners and respected leaders in youth-angling education whose curricula and programs align with the vision and mission of the IGFA. We recently worked with the following partners on a variety of programs with more to come in 2023.

 Aquatic Resources Education Association (AREA)

IGFA’s Education Director Lisa Morse recently traveled to Rapid City, South Dakota, US, for the Biennial Training Conference for the Aquatic Resources Education Association (AREA). The IGFA is a member of AREA and this training conference provided a plethora of networking opportunities with other nonprofits as well as with state agencies and industry leaders. IGFA staff attended several sessions that spanned a variety of topics, from working with volunteers to improving surveys and evaluations for useful participant feedback. Morse also presented updates on the IGFA Passports to Fishing program, which was very well-received by the participants.

The IGFA thanks the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks for hosting the conference this year, and we look forward to attending and presenting at the next conference in Rhode Island in 2024. To learn more about AREA please visit https://areanet.org/.

 

Wildlife Forever

The IGFA recently renewed its support of the 2023 Fish Art Contest hosted by Wildlife Forever. For the last 25 years, the Fish Art Contest has grown into an international competition introducing young people to the wonders of fish, the joy of fishing, and the importance of aquatic conservation through art, science, and creative writing. This year’s IGFA Conservation Award will be a special program component highlighting the roosterfish, bringing awareness and understanding to this important species. The award will run in conjunction with the IGFA’s recently launched roosterfish research program.

The Fish Art Contest is open to all youth in grades K-12 (ages 5-18) and submissions are due by February 28, 2023. To learn more about the Fish Art Contest, visit https://www.wildlifeforever.org/home/fish-art/.

 

USAngling

Earlier this month, the IGFA traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, US, to assist USAngling with their Youth Angling Day on Sunday, October 16, 2022, to kick off the Black Bass World Championships. The IGFA Passports to Fishing stations were set up at the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park for children and their families to learn the basics of recreational fishing. More than 100 youth went through the stations and then went fishing in the canal.

The IGFA looks forward to the next event with USAngling, which will be a Youth Angler Education Day to kick off the FIPSed Kayak Fishing World Championship in June 2023. To learn more about USAngling, visit https://www.usangling.org/.

If you or your organization is looking to partner with the IGFA on behalf of youth angling education, please contact IGFA's Education Director Lisa Morse at [email protected].

Lastly, thank you to the following program supporters: