AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has teamed up with Fishing’s Future and the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund to offer fishing education opportunities for families in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley. Fishing’s Future, a national angling educational organization based in Texas, has over 17 years of experience in teaching families how to fish and enjoy the great outdoors.

Starting in February and continuing through August, the program will feature in-person family fishing events. This year, the program will continue working directly with families through community organizations and will conduct 18 activities in the Houston and Rio Grande Valley area. These activities will educate 20 families on fishing basics and advanced techniques, including Catch, Care, and Cook it, Boater Education, Surf and Pier fishing, online Family Networking, and How to Shop.

Fishing’s Future will also expand its reach by establishing two new chapters to conduct family fish camps and other outreach activities for the next five years. All necessary equipment and expertise will be provided to ensure successful fishing events for families, some of which will include fish cleaning and cooking.

“Hooking up with TPWD and The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation on the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Educational Fund Grant is a perfect partnership for Fishing’s Future,” said Michael Scherer, program director of Fishing’s Future. “Our three organizations are dedicated to increasing the educational knowledge of both young and old. TPWD is staffed with the sharpest minds — their staff brings real-life science and research into play.”

The program aims to build the fishing knowledge, skills, and abilities of participating families from Texas metro areas to ultimately increase fishing participation. Additionally, the program strengthens family bonds and Texans’ connections to the outdoors and fisheries resources.

“This grant helps to foster the development of relationships between families to build a sense of community, better serve local organizations, and help their families get outdoors and enjoy State and Community Parks,” added Scherer. “It also helps teach environmental stewardship and increases awareness for the protection, conservation, and restoration of our Nation’s aquatic natural resources.”

To support these efforts, Fishing’s Future will conduct angler education instructor trainings, focusing on increasing the number of certified angler education instructors, especially those who are bilingual or have Spanish as their primary language. This will generate opportunities for the program to make a greater impact across Texas.

“We are excited to partner with Fishing’s Future to offer the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar program and connect families with fishing and the outdoors across Texas,” said Jason Mercer, TPWD R3 Coordinator Fishing and Boating. “This effort provides excellent opportunities for families to participate in fishing, develop their fishing skills and knowledge, and spend quality time together.”

For more information on the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund and educational programs, or to participate, visit FishingsFuture.org.