In its Heroes of Conservation program, Field & Stream Magazine regularly recognizes people who spend their personal time creating, improving or restoring fish and wildlife or habitat. The July issue of Field & Stream honored one of B.A.S.S.’s own, Jerod Harman.
Harman is the Conservation Director for the West Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation Nation (WVBFN), and he has served in that capacity for just more than one year. In that short period of time, Harman has affected change with a very small budget and a dedicated group of volunteers.
Harman led the WVBFN in the installation of 150 spider blocks in two bodies of water, Burnsville and Summersville lakes. Spider blocks are a form of artificial vegetation made of concrete and plastic pipes. “They construct habitat in barren areas that promote natural development for the fish,” Harman explained to B.A.S.S. Times Magazine. He added that they are durable, low cost and easy to make, and they don’t harm the aquatic environment.
Other efforts Harman has led include visiting local churches during Vacation Bible School to illustrate fishing’s correlation to the Bible and to teach casting, safety and fish identification to the participants; creating educational field trips for students through their schools; developing a strong relationship with West Virginia Department of Natural Resources’ fisheries biologists; and producing plans for a new live release boat for WVBFN.
Harman’s activities take a great deal of his time and energy, but he said he’s happy to do it. “It’s not so much an obligation for me,” Harman told Field & Stream. “It’s an honor to be able to go out and try to make a difference.”
Toyota awarded Harman a $500 grant for his recognition from Field & Stream.
Harman is one of many of B.A.S.S.’s “boots-on-the-ground” members from the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation who work diligently to educate others about conservation, reach out to other organizations, companies and agencies to promote protection of the resource, and make a lasting, positive impact on aquatic habitat.