Conservation

The mission of the Gulf Coast Council Conservation Committee is to ensure that there will be clean water and great fishing for generations to come.

To fulfill that mission, the Conservation Director is tasked with staying abreast and evaluating environmental and fisheries conservation issues within the geographic boundaries of the Council.  They also take an active role in promoting conservation in the Council.  The Conservation Director sits on the FFI Conservation Committee, representing their council.

Conservation Grants

To help achieve conservation goals, conservation grants are available from both the FFI and the Gulf Coast Council.

Such grants must be to support “on the ground” conservation activities. Such projects can include, but not limited to: biological sampling, fish tagging studies, fish structures or habitat improvement, installation of monofilament dispensers, abandoned crab trap removal, instructional signs, fish stocking, or other projects that enhance and protect fisheries.

Fly Fishers International (FFI) Grants

The Fly Fishers International has a program where they offer grants to promote our mission of conservation.  While FFI focuses on providing grants to its clubs and councils, grants from outside organzations will be considered as well.

Here are the details:

By requirement, the submission must be made through the affiliated council. The council must approve the application.   Grant applications can be submitted at any time.

Here are the details:

  • The club or organization must fill out the FFI Grant Application Form (see below). Supporting documentation is strongly encouraged.
  • Describe and quantify the problem and need
  • Describe and quantify the anticipated solutions
  • Describe and quantify the anticipated benefits
  • Detailed budget information
  • Names of other organizations/agencies providing funding and amount they are providing.
  • How the project will be communicated to the media and the public.
  • Maximum award will be $3,000
  • FFI grant requests will be reviewed by the Conservation Director of the Gulf Coast Council for content and qualifications.
  •  After final review, the request goes to the Council board for a full approval.
  •  If approved by the Council board, the request will be forwarded to the FFI Conservation Committee
  • The FFI Conservation Committee will vote on approval of the grant. If approved, a check will be sent to the application address.
  • In some cases, the Council may pledge only some of the requested funding to the project.

Considering that FFI grants are very competitive, the Gulf Coast Council will be selective about projects that it recommends to the FFI.  In most cases, there may be recommendations to the applicant to help improve their chances of getting FFI approval.

To download the FFI Grant application, go to www.flyfishersinternational.org then select Conservation, then Projects and Programs and then Grants.

Gulf Coast Council (GCC) Conservation Grants

The Council has our own conservation grants. These are independent of the FFI grants, and the amount reserved for any FFI grant matching is separate.  FFI clubs or any other qualifying 501(c)3 conservation organizations may apply.

The total maximum funding for all grants at this time is $1,000 per calendar year, with a maximum individual grant amount of $500.

Here are the details:

  • The club or organization must fill out the GCC Grant Application Form (see below). Supporting documentation is strongly encouraged.
  • There must be a Project Manager.   This person will be the point of contact and responsible for all feedback.
  • Describe the objectives, completion dates, and indicate how results will be measured or quantified.
  • Detailed budget information
  • Names of other organizations/agencies providing funding and amount they are providing.
  • How the project will be communicated to the media and public.
  • Maximum grant is $500.
  • GCC grant requests will be reviewed by the Conservation Director of the Gulf Coast Council for content and qualifications. The Director may suggest changes to the request to better assure grant approval.
  • The GCC Board will vote on final approval of the grant. If approved, a check will be sent to the application address.
  • In some cases, the Council may pledge only some of the requested funding to the project.

GCC Conservation grants are given on a competitive basis. Proposed projects will be judged on the merits of the project, if it has a well-defined objective, and is more likely to be approved if it has a near-term fulfillment.

Click on this link to download the GCC Grant Application Form.

As the Gulf Coast Council seeks to find a reliable source of long-term annual funding, the amount for GCC conservation grants may eventually be increased. In the meantime, applicants seeking substantial grants are encouraged to broaden funding sources for their projects and to not solely rely on Gulf Coast Council funds.