If you haven't yet explored our Pioneers In Conservation page yet, please take a moment to at least watch the video there. Why? Because understanding the history of America's conservation programs can help us better understand and project the future of our conservation programs. The formula is pretty simple, really. When nobody funded hunting and fishing, people hunted and fished until populations were all but wiped out in many areas. Nobody regulated and managed those species then because there wasn't a funded agency or funding for management. Two prime examples are the billions of passenger pigeons that are now gone forever, or fish such as the Arctic grayling that once filled the cold water rivers in Michigan.

Let's decode this a little more. America's conservation programs are run by agencies and organizations. Those agencies and organizations are made up of teams of conservation professionals who have dedicated their careers to conservation of fish, wildlife and ecosystems. It costs a lot of money to run those agencies and employ those teams of conservation professionals. So where does all that money come from to fund conservation programs across the nation?

America's conservation programs are funded from two major sources; 1) fees paid by people who participate in various outdoor pursuits, such as anglers and hunters who buy licenses each year, 2) special "excise taxes" paid on certain items purchased for outdoors pursuits. So the bottom line is that if fewer people fish, hunt, and purchase related outdoor gear, there will be less and less money to fund the agencies and conservation programs that all Americans enjoy. To learn more about the details of funding of America's conservation programs, click on the LEARN MORE tab below.

It's somewhat of a "user pay" principle. Fewer outdoor people equates to less conservation funding, while more outdoor people means more funding for conservation programs. Of course there's one small twist in all this. Only about 5% of Americans hunt and only 10% fish. Yet this relatively small funding slice of society pays for the majority of conservation programs that 100% of all Americans get to enjoy. So to continue getting funding for conservation, Conservation Educators need to get more people interested and actually involved in outdoor pursuits. Their jobs combine being part educator, part salesperson, social media and promotional expert, and using a variety of public engagement programs that focus on something called "R3"... 1) Recruitment, 2) Retention, 3) Reactivation... of people who fish, hunt, trap, and participate in shooting sports and other key outdoor pursuits.

To discover how these Conservation Educators connect the public with the rewards of being actively involved in conservation related pursuits, watch the video here, and have your teacher conduct the lesson activities below so your entire class can share in understanding how conservation works for all of us to enjoy.

So are YOU interested in a career as a Conservation Educator or R3 Coordinator? If you're unsure, contact one in your state to learn more about all the things they do for the future of conservation programs.

This wildlife education program is made possible with support of these key educational partners. You and your teachers can link to their websites for additional information and educational opportunities.

At SCI Foundation’s American Wilderness Leadership School location in Jackson, Wyoming, educators and students learn about conservation, wildlife management, and outdoor recreation through outdoor, hands-on activities. Their Hands on Wildlife (HOW) program provides educators with conservation education instructional tools they can use in hands-on instruction.

Let's say you invited a new friend over to your house. But while they visited, they kicked your dog, used fowl language in front of your mom, and spit their used bubble gum on your living room carpet... then stepped in it. As they left, they said, "That was fun. When can I come back?" You'd probably yell, "NEVER AGAIN!" And if aquatic ecosystems could talk, they might also say something similar to irresponsible anglers who abuse the privilege of fishing there.

With that in mind, let's pretend for a moment that all the biotic (living things) and abiotic factors (non-living such as water) in an aquatic ecosystem could in fact speak to us, here's a few things they would say about angling ethics.

Treat our fish with care - The fact is that the process of fishing involves pulling an aquatic organism (a fish) out of the environment they need to survive. And whether you're considering keeping some fish for a sustainable food source, or releasing everything you catch, consider these ethical points:

• Hook choices - Experienced anglers who have fished exclusive "catch-n-release" waters where they had to use a single barbless hook were surprised that they landed about as many fish as if they were using lures with multiple triple-barbed hooks. We actually have the video to prove it on a variety of record-sized fish. The fewer hooks in a fish's mouth simply results in a fish that can released with fewer potential places that it was hooked. Makes sense, right?
• Landing your fish can happen in several ways. 1) you can unhook the fish while it's still in the water - either by hand or in a net, 2) out of the water while held in a net, with a "fish gripper" or in your hand. When you unhook a fish while it's still in the water, they can still breathe in the water and you expose them to less stress on gills, scales, fins and the slime coating that protects them. Fish grippers help protect you and help safely restrain the fish while unhooking. Rubber mesh nets also help reduce abrasion to the fish's scales. Nylon mesh nets tend to be more abrasive. And because some species have very delicate scales and skin, avoid handling fish if you have sunscreen or bug repellent on your hands. That's another reason to "wet" your hands first before touching fish.
• Releasing your fish should always be done sooner than later. Plan ahead so you have the gear and procedure ready to minimize the fish's time out of water. A good way to see how well you're doing is to begin holding your breath when the fish is pulled from the water. When you need to take a breath again, the fish probably does too. Many experienced anglers also release the fish gently next to the boat after they have held the fish upright in a swimming position and allow the fish to recover and swim off freely. Both you and the fish will feel better when it's time to say, "so long".

Ah, that's a good start on your angling ethics, but you still have three more important things to discover in the "Learn More" section below. And so your entire classroom can share in being responsible ecosystem stewards, share the lesson activity with them and your teacher. It's free at the bottom of this page.

Imagine that you're on a family vacation somewhere stuck in what appears to be the middle of nowhere but you want some angling action. What are your options?

No sense in pouting when you've got the Internet and local bait shops to help decode some of the pathways to going fishing in new locations. Take the Florida Everglades for instance. The 10,000 Islands area where the fresh water of the vast Everglades meets the ocean is a daunting maze that seems impossible to figure out. Yet like most places, there are clear pathways to angling action if you know where to look.

Local Guides - One surefire way to learn how to catch fish in a new area is to hire a local guide. They make a daily living showing people where and how to catch fish. Plus, they can offer years worth of advice on refined fishing techniques and baits that you can use to broaden your fishing savvy. Admittedly, the drawback is getting your parents to pay for a guide. So propose the trip as a family adventure that might cost less than taking everyone to Disney. And unlike carnival rides, you'll likely end up with the fixings for a great fish dinner at the end of the fishing adventure.

Local Bait Shops - Now you might think that local bait shops would be tighter-lipped than a catfish about spilling the beans to strangers on where and how to catch fish locally. So we actually had some of our anglers wander into a bait shop and explain they were vacationing and would appreciate a some expert advice on where and how to catch something. Guess what? Most bait shop staff consider themselves fishing "experts" and freely offer solid info on where to catch fish. Many will even offer "what they're biting on this week" in hopes of you catching something while they get to sell you a certain lure or bait. It's a win-win for both parties.

Government Websites, Offices & Officials - You have some very productive options here. First, you have free and easy online access to fishing on state and federal waters. For instance, a quick search on "Fishing the Everglades" reveals over 6 million hits with a number from Everglades National Park and Florida Fish & Wildlife. We've had our youth anglers actually stop into ranger stations and information offices to get detailed maps and friendly advice on where to catch fish. Some rangers in the field even told us their secret baits and how to fish them. Bingo, fish on! And don't forget solid online resources such as https://www.takemefishing.org/where-to-fish-and-boat/

Other Anglers - Bait shop staff aren't the only ones who consider themselves "fishing experts". Most other anglers will freely offer helpful "expert advice" to newbies, especially young anglers looking to learn how to catch fish. We've tried this "inter-personal" research on Florida piers, boat launches, beaches, and near river mouths and universally, most seasoned anglers are happy to share some where-to and plenty of how-to on catching local species.

Now that you have some simple and clear pathways to help you learn how to catch fish wherever you go, let's dive into the interesting dynamics in the Florida estuary food webs that will help you fill your tackle box with fishing smarts. Because knowing what fish eat when and how will help you choose the right bait, place and fishing techniques. Makes sense, right? So click on the Learn More tab below. And don't forget to share all this fun fishing detective work with your classroom using the free lesson activities below. Print a copy for your teacher today. Who knows, you might get an A!

But remember, wherever you fish, always check and follow local regulations such as these you'll find on; https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/saltwater-fishing/

Welcome to Wild About Walleyes as part of our Getting Families Fishing Series.

As you’ll discover in this TV show and related classroom videos, walleye fishing offers you pathways to learning about fish biology, the techniques to having a rewarding family adventure while catching a unique fish, and how to become sustainable anglers who conserve our fish for future generations.

Okay, so there's several great ways to enjoy and share the fishing fun and education in this show.

First, you can kick back with family or friends to watch this entire half-hour television episode to get the full content in one sitting. Kinda like enjoying a full course meal. Yum-yum.

Then there's the four shorter, custom segments on the noted links below. These are the custom "classroom" or learning videos with some bonus content designed to share with your entire classroom. On these links below you'll also find lots of other educational content, including custom lesson activities for your teacher to take your entire classroom on a three to four day journey of peer-driven learning blended with fun and hands-on pathways to try outdoor pursuits yourself.

Whichever way you decide to enjoy the fun and educational content, it's a win-win way for you to get engaged with pathways to discovering more about yourself and the great outdoors.

Until then, enjoy the journey of discovery in all of the content in our Getting Families Fishing Series.

For all kinds of helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. You'll also find lots of fun educational resources for classroom or lakeside learning. Plus, be sure to check out all the helpful resources on TakeMeFishing.org.

Official Boater Safety Courses and Boat Safety Education Materials

Okay, we left you off with Step 4... armed with three powerful things on your side; 1) solid reasons why you want to form a club, 2) other students who also want to share in the “education of fishing”, 3) a faculty advisor to help support your club… you’re now ready to meet with your school principal or superintendent (with your teammates) and pitch the idea – reasons why it’s good for students and education plus how it’s going to work with structured support of HighSchoolFishing.org.

Step 5 - Along with your teammates and possibly your advisor, meet with your school principal or superintendent to pitch the idea. Show him or her that you're taking this seriously by making your presentation with a printed list of the educational and beneficial reasons for forming your club. Also be prepared to show them one or more of the videos here, or the SAF Quickstart video. Now it's time to sell the concept, just as you practiced with your prospective club members. Your pitch should include printed information or online information about:

• Liability insurance coverage that indemnifies the school
• No cost to the school. Only the fishing club members pay a nominal fee to belong to SAF. Plus, SAF has fundraising programs to help schools and teams with costs related to their club.
• Promote the SAF motto of "education through fishing". This includes SAF online education, testing at SAF fishing events, and real-life education on the water with coaches and classmates. Plus, it gives students an exciting reason to be connected with their school.
• Team members will need to follow "tan academic code" and maintain a certain GPA
• Opportunities for winning college scholarships and pathways to joining college fishing teams
• Where you'll be fishing and the various opportunities to fish with other clubs and in tournaments around the state, region or nation

Step 6 - Once your have the go ahead from your principal, you'll present the club proposal to your school board so they can formally sanction your "school fishing club". Ta-da! After they formally school-sanctioned your fishing club. It's time to go fish.

But before you go fishing, you'll need to know how to boat and fish safely on the water. So that you, your teacher and your entire class can share in that boating and angling safety, use the free Safe-N-Smart fishing lesson activity below.

To learn about all the ways your team can fish and compete with other high school teams, explore the links below and check out the LEARN MORE tab below.

When you're ready to discover what to do in tournaments and what you'll learn as you fill your "educational tacklebox" with bass-fishing savvy, go to High School Bass Club 104.

For all kinds of other helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. To discover more about becoming a future angler, visit our educational partners that helped make this video, webpage and lesson possible by clicking on their logos below.

And if you decide to fish, you really need to get serious about being a safe angler. So take the complete online boating and water safety course using the link below.

Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials

Let's say you'd like to form your own high school bass fishing club, but it sounds like too much of a hassle. Don't worry, lots of students have done it and the four videos and web pages on High School Bass Club (101-102-103-104) will help guide you through the process. So let's get started.

STEP 1 - Become familiar with the process and reasons why for starting a bass fishing club. Review the reasons on High School Bass Club 101.  Also go online to highschoolfishing.org/ and follow the guidelines they offer for forming  your club.

STEP 2 -The process will be easier and more fun if you enlist the help of other students (include a diversity of students and gender) who are interested in fishing. Research the website links provided below and take notes. The more you know, the easier the process and enlisting the support of your club advisor and school administrators. You're actually selling the idea to fellow student anglers and your school administrators, so be upbeat and positive about the whys of starting your club.

STEP 3 - Next, besides enlisting a minimum of two interested students grades 9-12, you'll need to find a club advisor. Use the "pitch points" or the reasons for forming the club that you've researched and feel free to use some of your own reasons relative to your school or geographic area. It makes sense to look for a "faculty advisor" (teacher-coach-counselor) who is also an angler. Or, you can enlist an involved parent or volunteer who is interested in angling and helping with your club.

Step 4 - Now that you're armed with three powerful things on your side; 1) solid reasons why you want to form a club, 2) other students who also want to share in the "education of fishing", 3) a faculty advisor to help support your club... you're now ready to meet with your school principal or superintendent (with your teammates) and pitch the idea - reasons why it's good for students and education plus how it's going to work with structured support of HighSchoolFishing.org.

To find out what to do next in Step 5, watch all four Classroom Videos and take notes. Then go to the High School Bass Club 103 web page to continue with Step 4 and others to complete your journey of creating your school's bass fishing club. And to get the entire class involved in this process of bass fishing discovery, have your teacher download the free lesson here and have it be part of your actual education in school… and on the water!

Still looking for more good reasons to form your club? Then explore the LEARN MORE tab below!

For all kinds of other helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. To discover more about becoming a future angler, visit our educational partners that helped make this video, webpage and lesson possible by clicking on their logos below.

And if you decide to fish, you really need to get serious about being a safe angler. So take the complete online boating and water safety course using the link below.

Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials

Imagine being a key player in a high school team sport where you can travel around the state and country to win prizes and even compete for some of the millions of dollars offered in college scholarships. And no, you don't have to be a star athlete and have extraordinary skills at some sport. You can do it all by forming or joining your high school bass fishing club.

There are two major organizations that offer pathways to high school bass fishing clubs. 1) The Student Angler Federation that's part of the The Bass Federation, and 2) B.A.S.S. High School Nation that's part of Bassmaster. Each organization offers all kinds of advice and pathways to form your club and to enter bass fishing tournaments.

Now before you jump into the deep end of the lake, consider some of the reasons why a bass fishing club just might be your ticket to fun, recreation and relationships at school plus might provide a pathway to a college education;

• It gets students off the couch and back into the great outdoors by forming fishing clubs and outdoor activities within the school
• It introduces students to fishing while showing them potential career and educational opportunities through fishing
• Bass fishing clubs also add purpose a student's education by giving them real life examples of how math, science, biology, technology and language arts are used by anglers every day out on the water
• It increases environmental awareness and understanding of aquatic ecosystems with the complex the balance of abiotic and biotic factors
• It reduces stress while forming lasting relationships with like-minded peers in natural settings... oh yeah, it's tons of fun
• Almost anyone can participate... no matter their size, skills, high school, age or gender

So clearly there are solid reasons to form or belong to your high school bass fishing club. But where do you start and what does it take? No worries. We'll decode the whole process in an easy-to-follow step by step plan laid out by the Student Angler Federation. Begin by watching the 101 video here and reviewing the content in the LEAN MORE section below. To get the entire class involved in the this process of discovery, have your teacher download the free lesson here and have it be part of your actual education in school... and on the water! To learn about the next steps in forming your bass fishing club, go to High School Bass Club 102.

For all kinds of other helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. To discover more about becoming a future angler, visit our educational partners that helped make this video, webpage and lesson possible by clicking on their logos below.

And if you decide to fish, you really need to get serious about being a safe angler. So take the complete online boating and water safety course using the link below.

Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials

Imagine this, you're a fishing guide in Florida. You have a job that you love. You spend your days taking tourists a few miles off the coast for some of the best fishing experiences of their lives. Life has been good. But what would happen to your livelihood if the waters you fished became polluted? What if invasive species came and wreaked havoc on the natural wildlife population? Your career and the financial well-being of your family is based on the health and safety of your local marine ecosystem. This is just one way that National Marine Sanctuaries benefit local economies!

It is estimated that around $8 billion is generated each year in coastal and ocean dependent economies, where National Marine Sanctuaries are located. Industries like sustainable tourism and responsible recreation benefit from the healthy ecosystem that a national marine sanctuary provides.

When it comes to these ocean parks, there are many different ways that they can benefit a local economy both directly and indirectly. Tourism is one of the largest contributors. Millions of visitors come to these beaches, go diving and snorkeling, surf the waves, book fishing charters and visit local museums and restaurants when in the area. Of course, this is all dependent on a healthy National Marine Sanctuary that's worthy of a trip.

Another, less obvious way, that these marine treasures boost community moral by increasing the quality of life for people living in the surrounding homes and neighborhoods. Clean beaches and abundant wildlife in the area lead to a more desirable living situation for people that appreciate being in the outdoors.

It's safe to say that National Marine Sanctuaries create economic benefits that make them a desirable designation for each and every community that they are apart of. Watch the video that highlights a few people who've based their livelihoods on the health and benefits of their local National Marine Sanctuary. For more information and resources related to National Marine Sanctuaries and Monuments, head to Sanctuaries.NOAA.gov  and marinesanctuary.org!

Protecting our waters is extremely important for the well-being of the ocean, the marine life that lives there and all of us. Cleaner coastlines and oceans mean we can continue to enjoy our beaches for swimming, fishing and recreation. That's a big win for everyone! So what can you do to help? You can start at home, or at school, just like the kids in the video did! 

Reduce the amount of garbage you make. The less garbage we have on land, inevitably means less garbage ends up in the ocean. You can reduce your garbage footprint by recycling and using recycled materials. Cut down on single-use plastics, use a reusable water bottle, canvas grocery bags, skip the disposable forks and spoons and choose paper over plastic when given the option. It doesn't take much effort to make a big dent in the amount of trash you're sending to the landfill. Buy items that come in less packaging. Have you ever purchased something that comes inside a bag inside a box inside a clamshell plastic case wrapped in shrinkwrap? Choosing to buy items free from unnecessary packaging is an effective way to cut down on waste. Also, your support of companies that package items responsibly could encourage other companies to follow suit. Buy or borrow used items when possible. Humans in general should really think twice about buying so many things. Do we really need them? What if the item you're planning on buying could just be borrowed from a neighbor instead? Or challenge your school to have a "Zero Waste Week" and join hundreds of schools around the country working to reduce waste.

You can help take care of a local stream! Garbage that finds its way into a local stream or river will very likely end up in a larger body of water. Taking care of streams and rivers can include picking up waste, removing invasive species of plants and/or planting trees and other plants native to the area. Getting together with a group to work on a project like this can be fun, and can make a big difference for your community and the marine ecosystems even if you don't live near the ocean. Many schools have environmental clubs and you can even become an Ocean Guardian School too!

Make a difference at a beach near you! Even if you're just visiting for a nice day by the water. Pick up trash others have left behind. Be sure to take all of your trash with you when you leave as well! Also, look online for local efforts to clean-up a local waterway. There may already be a group in your area taking care of the local shoreline. If not, what's stopping you from starting your own?

Change doesn't happen overnight. These things take time. But with small steps, big changes can be made in our environment and in our marine ecosystems. This video highlights some small communities that have made great strides in marine conservation and rehabilitation. Talking to your teacher or members of your community is a great way to start to see if they can help with ideas for your school. For more information and resources related to marine conservation, and National Marine Sanctuaries and Monuments, head to Sanctuaries.NOAA.gov  and marinesanctuary.org!

Watersports are an awesome way to have fun on the water! But before you dive in, it's important to know some basic safety guidelines and rules. When it comes to wakeboarding, this means knowing hand signals to communicate with the people on the boat, and of course - PFDs!