Over $12,300 awarded to Polk County schools

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission Division of Rural Services has awarded grants totaling $531,602 to promote wildlife education and improve school conservation programs to 253 schools and conservation districts in 71 Arkansas counties.

The grant program is funded by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission through fines collected from hunting and fishing violations. Only money collected in the county where the violation occurred may be used as grant funds for that county.

In Polk County, Cossatot River High School will receive $2,501.74, Holly Harshman Elementary School will receive $3,433.40. Mena Middle School will receive grants of $213.84 and $498.69, Ouachita River School District: Acorn Campus receives $3,676.28, and Wickes Elementary School will receive $2,080.94.

In Montgomery County, Caddo Hills High School receives $2,439.09 and Mount Ida High School will receive $2,439.08.

All schools in the state are eligible to participate in the program. The funding schools have received in previous years has helped create and maintain archery, fi shing, and competitive shooting sports programs. Schools also use the money to help improve wildlife education by purchasing educational materials, materials for the creation of indoor and outdoor habitats, lab supplies, and fi eld trips to Game and Fish nature and education centers.

In previously announced awards at the 2018 Arkansas Rural Development Conference, Polk County will receive $20,686 in the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Grant Program and the Montgomery County Fair Association will receive $3,325 in the County Fair Building Grant Program.