WASHINGTON — The National Park Foundation has awarded $1.2 million in grants to support youth and community fishing programs at 57 national parks and partner organizations across the country — the largest single investment in the history of the Junior Ranger Angler initiative.
The funding will expand hands‑on fishing experiences for thousands of children, families, and community members through in‑park clinics, gear libraries, and ranger‑led educational programs. More than 50 national parks will participate, including New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, which received a grant to support its own Junior Ranger Angler activities.
Created by the National Park Service, the Junior Ranger Angler program introduces young visitors — typically ages 5 to 13, though open to all ages — to the basics of fishing while fostering deeper connections with national parks. With support from the National Park Foundation, more than 200 projects have been funded to date. Last year alone, the program hosted 670 fishing clinics serving more than 20,000 participants.
“Junior Ranger Angler is about getting kids, families, and communities hooked on the great outdoors through unforgettable park adventures,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, the foundation’s chief program officer. “When they’re learning to cast a line and earning their Junior Ranger Angler badges, our hope is that they’re establishing a lifelong connection to our national parks and inspiring a commitment to protect these places.”
This year’s grantees will tailor their programs to local landscapes and community needs, with a shared goal of inspiring the next generation of park stewards. In addition to teaching fishing skills, the programs aim to introduce young people to the joy of outdoor recreation and encourage long‑term care for public lands.
