ORLANDO, Fla. – AFTCO and B.A.S.S Nation are proud to announce the four chapters selected for the AFTCO and B.A.S.S. Nation Conservation Grant Program. The winning grants were presented at ICAST during AFTCO’s 60th anniversary celebration by AFTCO President Bill Shedd and B.A.S.S. Conservation Director, Gene Gilliland.
“Conservation has played a key role in our 60 years of business. When we launched our first line of bass apparel this January, we knew that B.A.S.S. Nation was best suited to help identify the needs of each local bass fishing community,” explained Shedd. “We are very proud to do our small part to help fund local B.A.S.S. Nation conservation projects and their efforts to improve bass fisheries.”
$5,000 Towards Virginia Native Grass Restoration
• The Virginia B.A.S.S. Nation grant will fund the growth of enough native eel grass to start beds in local Virginia lakes. High school and college students will participate in gathering seed from the lakes and planting the grass in the summer.
$5,000 Towards Tims Ford Lake Habitat Restoration
• The Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation grant will fund materials to allow local anglers to build and place between 1,000 and 2,000 habitat and fish attractor structures throughout Tims Ford Reservoir. The project will combine structure deployments with at least one lakewide cleanup effort in conjunction with the Tims Ford Council.
$2,500 Towards the Development of Lunker Fish Care University
• The Texas B.A.S.S. Nation grant will enable the development of an online and in person educational course. LFCU will teach high school teams, college anglers and bass clubs the best methods of caring for LUNKER bass and their tournament caught fish. Anglers will learn live well management, fish handling, fish-friendly weigh-in methods and how to treat fish experiencing barotrauma.
$2,500 Towards a Youth Division Fish Care Tournament Trailer
• The Michigan B.A.S.S. Nation grant will be used to help offset the costs of a new tournament trailer. The trailer will enable conservation-friendly and professional style weigh-ins for their Youth Division tournaments.
All questions about the program or application process should be directed to B.A.S.S. Conservation Director, Gene Gilliland at ggilliland@bassmaster.com. Stay tuned to aftco.com/bass and bassmaster.com/conservation-news for updates on the programs and the great work they’re doing in their local communities!
