BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — If your B.A.S.S. Nation club has participated in a project that has either helped control invasive aquatic plants or helped native vegetation thrive, your club has the chance to win $1,500.
The new AERF-APMS/B.A.S.S. Conservation Aquatic Vegetation Management Award will be presented to the club that conducts the most outstanding project that addresses the control of invasive vegetation or promotes the propagation of native vegetation, or both, on a body of water that is accessible to the public.
Nominations must be submitted to B.A.S.S. Conservation by Oct. 31 of a given year, beginning in October 2013. The award will be presented during the following year's Bassmaster Classic.
The award will be given annually, but the project must span multiple years and have clearly defined short-term and long-term goals. The project must also include a monitoring plan to determine long-term success.
The B.A.S.S. Nation club must demonstrate that it has worked with the state fisheries and/or wildlife resource agency, the municipality and the project administrator.
If your club adds a youth component to the project, it will make your club more attractive to the panel of judges.
To apply, send your submission, with before and after photos, to B.A.S.S. Conservation by Oct. 31.
Judges include the B.A.S.S. conservation director, Dr. Mike Netherland and a representative from AERF-APMS.