Intermediate Unit 1’s trout program benefits from grant

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Special needs students in the Mon Valley received a boost Friday when they learned the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission awarded $11,016 to Intermediate Unit 1 in Washington County to engage students enrolled in alternative education.

The local grant was part of an overall initiative to support 14 education projects in 10 counties, including four statewide efforts. The grant program is part of the PFBC’s efforts to recruit new anglers and boaters, retain existing participants in fishing activities and reactivate former anglers and boaters.

Closer to home, Intermediate Unit 1 Executive Director Donald Martin said the funds will be used for the IU1’s Trout in the Classroom initiative, which previously allowed students to learn about trout’s living habits and to raise the fish in the classroom for eventual release in local streams.

Martin said thanks to the grant, students will now receive fishing equipment such as fishing poles, fishing lines, waders, bait and even water testing kits.

“It’s a sign of the popularity of trout fishing in our region,” Martin said. “It’s obviously a wonderful thing for our kids.”

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