Page 13 - Mid America Boating - April 2024 issue

coordinating regional scientific research. ODNR’s mission,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz vation and outdoor recreation. The club will boating program. (Lake County)
The GLC is a binational government said. “These grants are an investment into use $24,577.50 in grant funding to support Ohio University aims to enhance its boating
agency includes leaders from state and local our local communities, fostering a culture the implementation of an Introduction to inventory for students majoring in Outdoor
agencies in the U.S. and Canada. The group of responsible boating. These programs Canoeing course, covering canoes, a trailer, Recreation and Education. The university
was established in 1955 with the task of will provide people of all ages the skills paddles, Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs), will use $20,515 in grant funding to purchase
protecting the economies and ecosystems of needed for a lifetime of safe and enjoyable and other safety equipment. (Pike County) kayaks, spray skirts, paddles, and wetsuits.
the Great Lakes. experiences on the water.” Erie County 4-H Camp, located on Kellys (Athens County)
During the semiannual meeting, the Boating education grants support the local Island, will use $30,000 in grant funding The Warren County Soil and Water
GLC also signed a memorandum of under- purchase of safety equipment, such as kayaks, to purchase kayaks, sups, paddles, PFDs, Conservation District plans to increase
standing with the Great Lakes Fishery life jackets and trailers. The following list high- a trailer, marine radios, and other safety access and participation in safe watercraft
Commission and the International Joint lights how this year’s grantees are using their equipment for their Ohio Sea Camp, which recreation for urban youth, at-risk youth,
Commission. The agreement sets a path to grant funding to enhance their programs. teaches water safety, paddling, motorboat veterans, and people with disabilities.
advance the shared goals and objectives Ashtabula County YMCA, a long-standing operation, and more. (Erie County) Grant funding of $20,600 will be used to 13 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ] APRIL 2024
of the commissions for the restoration and grant partner, will conduct two Spirit of Hoover Sailing Foundation, which expand the district’s kayak fleet and safety
protection of the Great Lakes. America Boating Programs annually. The prioritizes sailing proficiency and water equipment. (Warren County)
Mertz has been overseeing the protection program teaches safe operation of various safety, will use $30,000 in grant funding to Queen City Rowing Club, operating
of Lake Erie since becoming ODNR director watercraft to students aged 10-15. The replace old equipment by purchasing 10 fully along the Little Miami and Ohio Rivers,
in 2019, the same year Governor Mike DeWine organization will be using $12,727.61 in rigged sailboats to continue teaching sailing will implement a comprehensive program
launched his H2Ohio initiative. grant funding to purchase a new motor and water safety. (Franklin County) emphasizing skill development and safety.
H2Ohio uses a comprehensive approach for a powerboat, replacement kayaks and The Kent State University Adventure Center Grant funding of $29,420 will be used for a
guided by science and data to reduce algal sups, safety equipment, and maintenance plans to enhance its paddling programs, safety boat, single trainer rowing shell, PFDs,
blooms, stop pollution, and improve access items. Staff will also attend ODNR Paddling focusing on technique development, water and dock rental fees. (Hamilton)
to clean drinking water by supporting best Instructor and Ohio Boating Education awareness, and safety protocols. The Last year, more than $208,000 was awarded
farming practices, road salt runoff reduction, Course (OBEC) Instructor classes. Adventure Center will use $24,524.09 in to outdoor non-profit organizations, colleges,
litter cleanup, dam removal, land conserva- (Ashtabula County) grant funding for training certifications, park districts, and local school districts.
tion, and water infrastructure revitalization. The Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Recre- equipment replacement, and adaptive The grants are funded by Ohio’s recre-
ation program provides human-powered, paddling. (Portage County) ational boaters through the Waterways Safety
ODNR awards more than natural resource-based educational outdoor Lake Metroparks is a long-time boating Fund, which is comprised of a share of the
experiences. The program will use $30,000 safety partner of the ODNR Division of Parks state motor fuel tax, watercraft registration
$250,000 for local boating
in grant funding to purchase four sailboats, and Watercraft. The park district teaches and titling fees, and funding from the U.S.
education programs ten paddleboards, and two kayak storage/ the OBEC classroom course to communi- Coast Guard.
transport carts. Training expenses for staff to ty members as well as providing courses in The ODNR Division of Parks and
Ten organizations across Ohio will receive work with the American Canoe Association sailing, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle- Watercraft is mandated by state law to
up to $30,000 each to strengthen or enhance (ACA) to have two staff certified in ACA Kayak board, powerboating, and personal watercraft provide boating safety education programs.
local boating education programs for youth Instructor Trainer course certification will operation. The park district will use $28,218.67 The division accomplishes this mission by
and adult residents. The grants, awarded by also be covered. (Cuyahoga County) in grant funding for instructor training, safety providing annual funding assistance to local
the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Eastern Local School District runs a equipment, personal flotation devices, and communities and nonprofit organizations
(ODNR), add up to $250,582.87. Conservation Science Curriculum and paddles. The park district will also replace an through a competitive grant program.
“Safety on the water is at the heart of Science Club, engaging students in conser- aging safety boat and motors for their power- See more ODNR news on page 15

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