ArrayMarch 20, 2015 at 2:32 pm
[caption id="attachment_542" align="alignleft" width="246"]
IFW's Outreach Coordinator Brittany Humphrey[/caption]
Brittany Humphrey's self-proclaimed home away from home is out on the frozen lakes and ponds of Maine. A native Mainer, Brittany grew up in Gray-New Gloucester spending most of her free time enjoying the Maine outdoors. One of her favorite pastimes? Ice fishing -which is a good thing, because in her capacity as IFW's Outreach Coordinator, Brittany has spent her first few months on the job working with various organizations to provide opportunities for Maine's children and families to join her on the ice and learn more about ice fishing.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has been utilizing the Hooked on Fishing Program as an outreach tool for nearly 20 years. A national program put out by the Future Fisherman Foundation, it was first established in Maine by former IFW staffer Charlie Mann. When Brittany started in the position with us last November, she took over as the State Coordinator for the program, a position I held for the past 10 years.
The Hooked on Fishing program provides curriculum that can be used by certified volunteer instructors in a variety of settings. The lessons cover not only fish biology and angling skills, but also activities to teach children about the impact their actions have on the environment, their role in conservation and about wise use of our natural resources.
The Department offers trainings periodically for individuals who are interested in becoming certified instructors. Maine has several hundred trained volunteer Hooked on Fishing instructors who make use of the program in communities throughout the state.
[caption id="attachment_543" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Brittany teaches a participant at the ice fishing clinic on Wilson Lake in February[/caption]
As the Department's Outreach Coordinator, Brittany is responsible for heading up several educational programs. In addition to the Hooked on Fishing Program, she is also managing the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program in Maine and is actively developing new programming to reach Maine's youth and families.
Over the past couple of months, Brittany has been busy at various ice fishing events and derbies working directly with children and families, all in hopes of passing along her passion for the sport. Thanks to many generous donors and sponsors, the Department is able to provide loaner equipment, bait, tackle and educational materials to those who attend Hooked on Fishing events. This past year, Cabelas generously donated a new ice auger to the program, which has been put to great use this season.
[caption id="attachment_550" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Brittany with some young anglers at the Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby in January[/caption]
As the snow and ice begin to melt, Brittany will be shifting her attention to the upcoming open water season, so be sure to keep an eye out for opportunities later this spring. For more information about the Hooked on Fishing program or other IFW education programs, you can contact Brittany at brittany.humphrey@maine.gov.
IFW's Outreach Coordinator Brittany Humphrey[/caption]
Brittany Humphrey's self-proclaimed home away from home is out on the frozen lakes and ponds of Maine. A native Mainer, Brittany grew up in Gray-New Gloucester spending most of her free time enjoying the Maine outdoors. One of her favorite pastimes? Ice fishing -which is a good thing, because in her capacity as IFW's Outreach Coordinator, Brittany has spent her first few months on the job working with various organizations to provide opportunities for Maine's children and families to join her on the ice and learn more about ice fishing.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has been utilizing the Hooked on Fishing Program as an outreach tool for nearly 20 years. A national program put out by the Future Fisherman Foundation, it was first established in Maine by former IFW staffer Charlie Mann. When Brittany started in the position with us last November, she took over as the State Coordinator for the program, a position I held for the past 10 years.
The Hooked on Fishing program provides curriculum that can be used by certified volunteer instructors in a variety of settings. The lessons cover not only fish biology and angling skills, but also activities to teach children about the impact their actions have on the environment, their role in conservation and about wise use of our natural resources.
The Department offers trainings periodically for individuals who are interested in becoming certified instructors. Maine has several hundred trained volunteer Hooked on Fishing instructors who make use of the program in communities throughout the state.
[caption id="attachment_543" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Brittany teaches a participant at the ice fishing clinic on Wilson Lake in February[/caption]
As the Department's Outreach Coordinator, Brittany is responsible for heading up several educational programs. In addition to the Hooked on Fishing Program, she is also managing the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program in Maine and is actively developing new programming to reach Maine's youth and families.
Over the past couple of months, Brittany has been busy at various ice fishing events and derbies working directly with children and families, all in hopes of passing along her passion for the sport. Thanks to many generous donors and sponsors, the Department is able to provide loaner equipment, bait, tackle and educational materials to those who attend Hooked on Fishing events. This past year, Cabelas generously donated a new ice auger to the program, which has been put to great use this season.
[caption id="attachment_550" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Brittany with some young anglers at the Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby in January[/caption]
As the snow and ice begin to melt, Brittany will be shifting her attention to the upcoming open water season, so be sure to keep an eye out for opportunities later this spring. For more information about the Hooked on Fishing program or other IFW education programs, you can contact Brittany at brittany.humphrey@maine.gov.