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Federation Fund for Conservation and Training

The Fund for Conservation and Training, a 501(c)-3 subsidiary of the Federation, was established to provide a means to accept tax deductible contributions to support the Federation's grant programs. The Keenan Memorial Fund, acknowledging Ed Keenan for his outstanding contributions to youth firearms and outdoor education, is also managed as part of this subsidiary. Money from the proceeds of our annual banquet have been channeled into this fund in recent years to provide a base for supporting a number of grant programs:

• The Keenan Memorial Fund provides grants to member clubs to enable them to send youngsters to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation camps.



• Grants have been provided to a number of junior rifle teams across the state in recent years.



• Tuition for the Becoming an Outdoor Woman program has been provided to several women in each of the past few years.



• Grants have been provided to a number of individual junior shooters to enable them to attend shooting camps.



• A youth hunting clothing exchange run by a member club was supported in 2001.

In 2001, the Federation officers, directors and delegates voted to purchase the former Taylor property in Castleton to provide access to the Blueberry Hill WMA which had been landlocked for over 30 years. This was the largest task undertaken by the Federation and Fund for Conservation and Training in their history. With help from member clubs, individuals and money raised at our annual fund raising banquet, we've paid off the mortgage. By securing a federally funded grant, obtained through the State of Vermont, an access roadway and parking area were built on the Federation property.

Mark McCarthy photo

Thanks to the generous donation by Steve Bigras of B&B Monumental Engravers of Barre, VT, there is readily visable signage to enable visitors to easily locate the access road. This property remains open to the public for all activities which are permitted on the adjoining WMA.

Although the mortgage has been paid, we have to pay property taxes to the town of Castleton. Donations to help keep this property open are welcome. The Blueberry Hill property and other desireable projects require funding and donations to fund such projects can be made to the Fund for Conservation and Training and sent to:

Treasurer Harry Montague
173 Pettingill Road
Essex Junction, VT 05452.

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