Youth Participation Initiative

The Youth Participation Initiative (YPI) Program was established in 2009 to provide funding for the purpose of educating children in the areas of hunting, fishing, conservation, and safety.  The MDWFP encourages applicants to focus on the education, recruitment, or retention of youth in the areas listed above or in any safety issues arising from the areas of hunting, fishing, or conservation.  Preference is given to those projects demonstrating focus on new ideas, new programs, or programs directed at involving youth that have little or no prior experience in the fields of hunting, fishing, or conservation. 

To date, $666,327 has been awarded to help fund 87 projects.  The MDWFP is an active partner in many of these projects such as Youth Waterfowl Hunting & Education Initiative Camp, Camp Fish, Wheelin Sportsmen Deer Hunt for Youth with Disabilities, Fall Wildlife Festival, Minority Wildlife Ecology Camp, Youth Quail Hunting Camp, and YPI Squirrel Hunt. 

2012 - 2013 YPI Grant Recipients
The MDWFP is pleased to announce that 18 projects were selected for funding for the 2012 - 2013 grant period.  Download the list of 2012 - 2013 YPI grant recipients.

2013 - 2014 YPI Grants
The MDWFP will begin accepting applications for the 2013 - 2014 funding period on July 1, 2013.  Guidelines

Youth Participation Initiative Final Reports

Final reports for YPI projects must be submitted within 30 days of project completion.  For the 2012 - 2013 funding period, all projects must be completed by August 1, 2013. Download  

Karri Fulton
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
karrif@mdwfp.state.ms.us
Office: (601) 432-2172            
Fax:  (601) 432-2203