Through wildlife infringement fines levied by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Rural Services Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission awarded grants totaling $645,493.22 to promote wildlife education and improve School wildlife conservation programs for 206 schools, school districts, and conservation districts in 68 Arkansas counties.

According to AGFC director Austin Booth, the AGFC never really gets a dime from quotes written by its employees. Instead, the money is invested in the children of the county to help instill the love of nature that makes Arkansas unique.

All schools in the state are eligible to participate in the program, but only money raised in the county where the violation occurred can be used as grant funds for that county.

The funding has helped schools create and maintain programs for archery, fishing, and sport shooting. Schools also used the money to help improve wildlife education by purchasing educational materials, indoor and outdoor habitat materials, laboratory supplies, and field trips to AGFC nature and education centers. Conservation counties have used the funds to raise public awareness of wildlife conservation through environmental awareness days and fishing derbies for children of all ages.

Schools in Howard County received a total of $2,368.07 and the Mine Creek Conservation District received $1,184.07 to Purchase Ayssp Materials.

Dirks High School and Mineral Springs High School will use their funds to purchase AYSSP materials and pay tournament fees.

Pike County Schools received $18,638.23.

The South Pike County School District received $4,544 and will use the funds to Purchase Anasp Supplies, while Center Point Elementary School received $14,004.23. They plan to purchase items to complete their outdoor class, including paving stones and round concrete benches. The open class will be accessible to the disabled.

In Hempstead County, Blevins High School received $1,410.37 to purchase ANASP supplies.

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