LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Following an unanimous vote at their Thursday’s meeting, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) are transferring $682,487 to the Arkansas Department of Economic Development’s (ADEC) Rural Services Division to help fund grants to eligible schools across the state.
This money that was donated came as a result of all the fines they collected during the 2024 Fiscal Year from boating and wildlife violations.
Applicants in every Arkansas county can apply for these grants from the ADEC, from mid-August to mid-October every year, through funds that are distributed to these counties based on how many fines they have received.
These grants are available for AGFC programs like Youth Shooing Sports and Archery in Schools, as well as supplies for schoolyard habitat projects and conservation education programs.
“This is a great opportunity for schools, especially those in rural areas that have limited funds, to offer conservation programming to their students,” Mary Beth Hatch, chief of the AGFC’s Education Division, said.
Applications will be available on the Rural Services Division’s website in the next few weeks.
Also during this meeting, AGFC Director Austin Booth recognized those who took time out of their days to speak about the new regulation changes and considerations being thought about in the next regulations cycle, as well as the accomplishments of the past fiscal year.
“Thomas Paine said, ‘The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph I love the man who can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow,’” Booth stated. “It was hard for me not to think about this quote as I reviewed this agency’s FY 24 Annual Report.”
The report highlights accomplishments of the past year, as well as gives a layout for the 5-year strategic plan “The Natural State Tomorrow”.
“Make no mistake, these annual reports are not brag sheets,” Booth said. “It is solely a motivation by this agency to show transparency and accountability to the public, not only for what we do, but to ensure that we’re progressing toward our long-term goals for conservation both on the natural resource side and on the people side.”
Matt Horton, Aquatic Nuisance Species Program coordinator for the AGFC, also gave an update on the invasive species that were and are present in Arkansas, and the effect they can have on aquatic habitat, recreation, and commercial activities.
He reported that the agency’s carp removal program netted and removed 343,000 pounds of invasive carp since its inception.
Horton also stated that AGFC received federal grants to aid in the effort, which also allows them to explore more ways to incentivize harvest by commercial anglers by paying them 18 cents more than market value for carp catches.
“Our goal is to develop a commercial harvest-based control program to increase our effort to remove a large amount of biomass of these fish from our river systems,” Horton said. “Since February, commercial fishermen have removed 265,299 pounds of invasive carp. We have enough money to provide incentives for 1.9 million pounds.”
He also took time out to speak on the latest invasive species: mystery snails, giant apple snails, and giant salvinia.
The Commission also approved a budget carry-forward of $1.1 million in funds from Fiscal Year 2024, and awarded retiring wildlife officer Captain Stephanie Weatherington her service for 29 years of service to the AGFC.