The Office of Conservation Investment logo

Education

This is the subheading

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supports a range of educational initiatives aimed at promoting responsible attitudes and ethics towards the environment. Through grants authorized by the Sport Fish Restoration Act, aquatic resource education programs are funded to enhance public understanding of aquatic resources and sportfishing. Additionally, the Hunter Education Program, funded by excise taxes, provides safety and conservation-focused training to over a million individuals annually, with funds also supporting the development of shooting range facilities. Beyond these, grant funding extends to workshops such as Trapping Matters and Becoming an Outdoors Woman, offering hands-on experiences in various outdoor activities.

Aquatic Education

Over 850,000 people receive aquatic education supported by excise taxes in the United States

Aquatic Resource Education grant funds are authorized through the Sport Fish Restoration Act, which provide funds to the states, the District of Columbia and insular areas fish and wildlife agencies, for their aquatic resource education programs. The purpose of these funds are to enhance the public’s understanding of aquatic resources and sportfishing, and to promote the development of responsible attitudes and ethics toward the aquatic environment.

Hunter Education

Over 1 million people receive hunter education supported by excise taxes in the United States

Every year, over 1 million people receive hunter education that is supported by excise taxes administered through the Hunter Education Program. The goal of these hunter education efforts is to teach students to be safe, responsible, conservation-minded hunters. Most states require completion of a hunter education course prior to purchasing a hunting license. Program funds may also be used for the development, operation, and enhancement of target range facilities. Over 800 shooting ranges have been designed, constructed, renovated, or opened to the public using excise taxes, like Arizona’s Ben Avery Shooting Facility, the largest of its kind in the United States.

Additional Workshops

In the United States, 38 states offer Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) workshops

Additional education opportunities supported by grant funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service extend beyond hunter education or aquatic education programs to include workshops like Trapping Matters or Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW). These workshops touch on a variety of outdoor activities and participants are able to engage in hands-on experiences.

In the News

Pono fishing with child
Angling

Fishing Pono in Hawaiʻi: A Call to Honor Nature and Its Gifts

Hawaiʻi is a space where culture, nature, and sustainability are woven together. At the heart of this connection is the ancient Hawaiian concept of living pono — a word that translates to righteous or proper. In the context of fishing, pono is a way of life that speaks to a deep responsibility to respect and protect natural resources that have nourished the islands for generations. Across the Hawaiian Islands, Sport Fish Restoration funds are being used to support fisheries and foster the principles of pono fishing.

Read More »
June 6, 2025
The 2025 Women’s Trapping Workshop participants pose for a group photo during their three-day trapping education experience.
R3

Providing Opportunities in the Outdoors – Facilitating Age-Old Heritage and Growing the Trapping Community

Trapping is about more than catching furbearer animals, the centuries-old pursuit is also about understanding ecosystems, practicing conservation, and preserving knowledge that has been used to keep landscapes in balance. Trapping practices continue being passed down through generations and today a growing number of new outdoor enthusiasts are taking an interest in the pursuit. Many newcomers are getting involved in trapping through workshops and courses hosted by state fish and wildlife agencies. 

Read More »
May 13, 2025
Texas Parks And Wildlife 2
Angling

A New Era for Aquatic Conservation and Education at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens, Texas, is a hub of aquatic education, fish production, and conservation in the Lone Star State. Since opening in 1996, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) facility has drawn over 1.1 million visitors, offering an in-depth look at the diverse world of Texas’ freshwater ecosystems and how state agencies manage fisheries resources.

Read More »
May 2, 2025

Partner With A Payer