A beautiful day for fishing at the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program. Photo credit: USFWS.

On Friday, June 12, 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Arlington Ecological Services Field Office, working with staff from the Service’s Dallas/Fort Worth Office of Law Enforcement, Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery, Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, the Southwest Regional Office, staff from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and volunteers from the Dallas Woods and Waters Club participated in the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program for Young Men. Southwest Regional Director, Benjamin Tuggle, also attended the event. 

In preparation for the fishing event that is hosted by the Service and TPWD, staff from the Inks Dam Fish Hatchery stocked over 350 channel catfish in the pond on June 9th. The majority of the stocked fish were less than a pound and about 16 inches long. However, to make things even more exciting for the young men, the Hatchery also stocked ten larger fish that were close to 6 pounds each and over two feet long.

Service staff and partners arrived early on the morning of the event to get the fishing poles and other gear ready for the young men. Before they started fishing they got a quick lesson on baiting hooks and casting. For many of them, today was the first time they had fished. It was great to see the joy and amazement on their faces when they reeled in their first catch! The boys also learned to fillet the fish and were to enjoy some fried catfish. The fishing event provided a great opportunity to spend time with the young men and talk with them about the work of the Service and encourage them to pursue careers in natural resource conservation.

Regional Director Tuggle, Debra Bills and Erik Orsak getting catfish ready to fry. Photo credit: USFWS.		Regional Director Tuggle speaking with a group of young men about the USFWS. Photo credit: USFWS.

After the fishing event, Regional Director Tuggle joined the young men for lunch where he had the opportunity to interact with them in several small groups. He spent time talking with them about a variety of issues including how he became interested in conservation, people who influenced him as a young man, characteristics needed to succeed, the mission of the FWS, and opportunities for young men to work/volunteer for the FWS. “Kids today are often disconnected from nature. They simply don’t experience the unstructured time outdoors that many of us enjoyed when we were growing up.” said Dr. Tuggle. “The Service applauds programs like the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program for providing kids an opportunity to get outside and connect with nature.”

 

Steve Harvey Mentoring Event- 2014

USFWS staff, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff and the Buffalo Soliders at the Steve Harvey Mentoring Event. Photo credit: USFWS.

DALLAS, TEXAS. Prior to the Event, Inks Dam Fish Hatchery staff stocked over 400 channel catfish in the pond used for the fishing event. The stocked fish averaged 1.1 pounds and 14 inches in length. Service staff spent the morning with the young men showing them how to cast and fish. For many of the young men, today was the first time they had fished. It was great to see the joy and amazement on their faces when they reeled in their first catch! Service staff also fried some of the catfish for the young men to taste - many came back for seconds. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the young men and talk with them about possible careers in a natural resources field.

The Service is honored to be a part of Mr. Harvey’s Mentoring Event for the third year. Spending time with the young men is a very rewarding experience. Connecting youth with nature benefits them on a personal level and can help them to understand the importance of preserving America’s wild heritage. Hopefully the Service’s participation improved the young men’s understanding and appreciation of our natural resources and the work of the Service.

Young men prepare to head to the pond for some fishing. Photo credit: USFWS.	Kevin Vaughn helps a young man on his casting skills. Photo credit: USFWS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service provides over 100 young men the opportunity to connect with nature as part of the Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend

Dr. Tuggle, Southwest Region Director and Steve Harvey at the Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend as they get ready to go fishing. Credit: Lesli Grey, USFWS.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Steve Harvey as part of his Morning Radio Show.  On Friday, the show was broadcast from the Dallas area as part of Mr. Harvey’s Mentoring Weekend for Young Men.  The event provides a one-of-a-kind, empowering experience for young men who are without fathers, and provided over 100 teenage boys from the Dallas-area and around the country a 4-day, 3-night transformative weekend on his property.  During the interview Steve Harvey and I covered a variety of issues including the importance of providing youth with the opportunity to experience the outdoors, how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service engages youth through internships, employment and volunteers opportunities and the importance of mentoring.

Young man catches first fish with the help of Don Wilhelm of the USFWS. Credit: Lesli Grey, USFWS.

The event reinforced for me the importance of getting our youth outdoors and providing them with opportunities to interact with nature.  Our culture is becoming more urban.  Connecting our youth with nature benefits them on a personal level and can only help to make them realize the importance of preserving America’s wild heritage.  We are looking at today’s youth as the future leaders of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other conservation organizations.  It important to provide them with the opportunity to experience fishing, hunting and the natural environment so they can become tomorrow’s managers of America’s fish, wildlife and environment. 

The Service greatly appreciates the opportunity to have been part of Mr. Harvey’s Mentoring Weekend. It was a very rewarding experience to share with the young men the joy of fishing and being outdoors.  Other Links:

Steve Harvey Mentoring Program
Let's Go Outside
America's Great Outdoors