The DNR’s Fishing in the Neighborhood program has expanded this summer in Milwaukee where four “Fin-terns” will work to introduce area residents to angling.
The program partners with nonprofit organizations to employ college-age interns who help run fishing classes and events. The program, first run in 2005, focuses on urban sites and demographics that have had historically lower rates of angling participation. Funding comes from the Sport Fish Restoration Act, an excise tax on fishing equipment and boat fuel distributed to states.
In the last two years, the program has been offered in Green Bay, La Crosse, Ladysmith and Madison. Twelve interns will be placed statewide this summer, including four in Milwaukee. The program was last held in Milwaukee in 2008.
Donnell Jones Jr. and Alex LaBonte will be stationed at the Urban Ecology Center at Washington Park. Danny Lee and Tyler Willey will be working out of the Milwaukee Christian Center at Kosciuszko Park.
“Our goals are to welcome new people into the community of anglers, to help them establish a relationship with the resource and adopt Wisconsin’s tradition of stewardship,” said Theresa Stabo, DNR aquatic resources education director. “We’re very excited that our Fishing in the Neighborhood program is growing and that partner groups are getting important recognition and funding to expand their local efforts.”
The DNR provides angler education training for the interns as well as fishing equipment to use for the program.
The interns recruit members for local fishing clubs, instruct the youngsters in basic fishing techniques, set up fishing trips and bring in guest speakers on aquatic resources topics. In addition to a DNR stipend, they earn college credit for their work.
Comments are closed.