Boater Education Funds Awarded For Three Area Counties

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(Southern Ohio) – Ten organizations across Ohio will receive up to $30,000 each to strengthen or enhance local boating education programs for youth and adult residents. The grants, awarded by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), add up to $250,582.87.

“Safety on the water is at the heart of ODNR’s mission,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “These grants are an investment into our local communities, fostering a culture of responsible boating. These programs will provide people of all ages the skills needed for a lifetime of safe and enjoyable experiences on the water.”

Boating education grants support the local purchase of safety equipment, such as kayaks, life jackets and trailers. The following list highlights how three area grantees are using their grant funding to enhance their programs.

Eastern Local School District runs a Conservation Science Curriculum and Science Club, engaging students in conservation and outdoor recreation. The club will use $24,577.50 in grant funding to support the implementation of an Introduction to Canoeing course, covering canoes, a trailer, paddles, Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs), and other safety equipment. (Pike County)

Hoover Sailing Foundation, which prioritizes sailing proficiency and water safety, will use $30,000 in grant funding to replace old equipment by purchasing 10 fully rigged sailboats to continue teaching sailing and water safety. (Franklin County)

Ohio University aims to enhance its boating inventory for students majoring in Outdoor Recreation and Education. The university will use $20,515 in grant funding to purchase kayaks, spray skirts, paddles, and wetsuits. (Athens County)

Last year, more than $208,000 was awarded to outdoor non-profit organizations, colleges, park districts, and local school districts.

The grants are funded by Ohio’s recreational boaters through the Waterways Safety Fund, which is comprised of a share of the state motor fuel tax, watercraft registration and titling fees, and funding from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft is mandated by state law to provide boating safety education programs. The division accomplishes this mission by providing annual funding assistance to local communities and nonprofit organizations through a competitive grant program.