COLUMBUS – Three north central Ohio entities were among the 15 community boating safety education programs to receive a total of $329,378 this year through the Boating Safety Education Grant Program, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
“The safety training provided by local grant recipients strengthens our efforts to make sure Ohioans enjoy a fun and safe boating experience,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz.
Morrow County was the home to a pair of grant recipients. Cardington Schools received $30,000, and Highland Local School District received $23,766.10.
Richland County had one grant recipient. North Central Ohio Safe Boating Council was granted $3,790.
ODNR increased funding this year which enabled four more organizations to receive funding. This year’s recipients include several local school districts which will be providing boating safety classes to their students in environmental science and recreation programs for the first time.
Individual grant awards provided by ODNR’s Division of Parks and Watercraft range from $3,790 to $30,000. The grant program supports local purchase of safety equipment, such as kayaks, life jackets, and trailers.
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 following is a list of this year’s grants by county:
Ashtabula County: Ashtabula YMCA – $9,865.
Athens County: Hocking College – $30,000.
Delaware County: Adaptive Sports Connection – $29,989.02.
Franklin County: American Kayaking Association – $21,858.25.
Lake County: Lake Metroparks – $26,713.99.
Lucas County: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 091-16-13 – $14,069.
Mahoning County: Youngstown State University – $22,154.49.
Morrow County: Cardington Schools – $30,000, and Highland Local School District – $23,766.10.
Pike County: Eastern Local Schools – $30,000.
Richland County: North Central Ohio Safe Boating Council – $3,790.
Stark County: Tuslaw Local Schools – $30,000.
Summit County: Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation – $29,994; Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio – $19,303.16, and YMCA Camp Y-Noah – $7,875.
Last year, 19 community organizations shared $250,000 provided by Ohio boaters and the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft to help fund community boating safety education programs.
Ohio law requires any person born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, to be able to show proof they have successfully completed an approved boating safety education course if they are to operate any powered watercraft greater than 10 horsepower. Many of the programs also focus on boating skills development and basic water safety.
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.
The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
Knox Community Hospital proudly supports the vibrant pulse of our community by sponsoring the Life & Culture section on Knox Pages, celebrating the stories and experiences that make our region unique.