Fourth quarter grant applications were presented and voted on at the November 25, 2025 AZSFWC Board meeting. Funding for the grants is available through sales of our special Conserving Wildlife license plate. More information about the license plate and how you can obtain one can be found HERE.
Six grants were approved and included the following:
$8,700 was awarded to Wildlife Water Works for construction of two water trailers. With extended draught conditions, the need for water is great. Wildlife Water Works will provide additional funding.
$15,000 was awarded to the AZ Council Trout Unlimited for their 2026 Fish Camp. This event will provide education while inspiring youth to become our next generation of conservation leaders and natural resource advocates. Attendees to the week-long camp will learn about conserving, protecting, and restoring our aquatic resources while learning and enjoying the sport of fishing and fly tying. Volunteers from state-wide chapters of Trout Unlimited will participate. Funding partners for in-kind and direct costs include Tonto Creek Christian Camp, AZ Fly Shop and an AZ Game & Fish Local Sportsmen’s grant.
$1,455 was awarded to Valley of the Sun Quail Forever for their joint Cast & Blast event with AZ Council of Trout Unlimited. The weekend-long event is a developing to intermediate hunting and fishing opportunity. The activities provide youth with a safe, fun and interactive opportunity to gain experience hunting both upland birds and waterfowl while learning and enjoying the sport of fishing and fly fishing. Hosting organizations will also provide education about conserving, protecting, restoring, and reconnecting cold-water fisheries, protecting natural resources, and Arizona fish and
wildlife species. Additional funding will be provided by AZ Game & Fish Department, Valley of the Sun Quail Forever and AZ Council Trout Unlimited.
$14,000 was awarded to the AZ Council Trout Unlimited for their 2025-2026 Trout in the Classroom Education program (TIC). TIC is a well-established environmental education program created and conducted throughout the US for trout and salmon and is in more than 4,000 classrooms. Students in grades 4 – 12 are involved in hands on experiences to:
- raise trout from eggs to fry
- monitor tank water quality
- engage in stream habitat study
- learn to appreciate water resources
- begin to foster a conservation ethic
- grow to understand ecosystems
Funding will not only support continuation of the program in existing schools in Arizona, but will also provide expansion to new schools. Partners include Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Trout Unlimited Council and Chapters of Arizona and private donors.
$10,080 was awarded to Valley of the Sun Quail Forever for the 2026 ASRPA Cactus Clays Beginners Clay Target Sports program. This year-round program is an instructional course with NRA certified instructors and Level 1 coaches to teach the clay target sports, gun safety and shotgun shooting. Goals of the program are the recruitment of new shotgun shooters, their retention in clay target sports and upland bird hunting, and reactivation of those whom may have been shotgun shooters or hunters at an earlier time in their lives. Additional funding is provided by ASRPA Cactus Clays. Additional partners include NRA Instructors.
$4,000 was awarded to Arizona Foundation for Wildlife for their 2025 Fall Family Camp. Students will be mentored at a ratio of one to four registered students in the field by Arizona licensed and experienced adult trappers. Certified AZGFD volunteer trapping instructors will conduct the classroom portion of the event with testing and trapper license qualification as the final objective. Additional activities for all attendees will include outdoor camping fellowship, experience, games, arts and crafts, nature viewing, and safe ethical outdoor practices. Additional funding is provided by Arizona Foundation for Wildlife and Arizona Trappers Association.