Outdoors Programs Nurture Enthusiasm for Nature

Reeled in by fishing demonstrations and canoeing lessons at National Hunting and Fishing Day, a third-grader claims a prize in a kids’ fishing contest — and urges his dad to teach him more about the sport. Planning to lead her daughters on a camping trip like the ones she enjoyed as a child, a mother enrolls in Becoming an Outdoors- Woman (BOW), where she takes classes in land navigation, campfire cuisine and backpacking.

Outdoors education programs teach students basics to build on later. "BOW participants tell us that not only do they enjoy the classes, they gain the confidence to practice these skills on their own and pass them along to their families," says Dana Permenter, LDWF's BOW coordinator.
Courtesy of Joni Blanchard, BTNEP

Often, all it takes to inspire love of the outdoors is a little exposure and education, says Bo Boehringer of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). “Whenever we can teach outdoors skills,” says Boehringer, “we have a chance to develop new lifelong participants.” To preserve and pass along Louisiana’s sporting traditions, the LDWF sponsors Louisiana’s National Hunting and Fishing Day, which draws thousands of families to events held across the state, and BOW, a popular weekend program offering courses in fishing, hunting, wilderness first aid and other outdoors subjects.

“We learn to respect and appreciate nature by experiencing it,” says Bo. “Louisiana needs its sportsmen and women, people who understand the wonder of this paradise and will speak up and support its preservation.”

Courtesy of Joni Blanchard, BTNEP

For more information about Hunting and Fishing Day and BOW, visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Web site, www.wlf.louisiana.gov.