In memory of Gary Schwartz, and to ensure that his love of introducing children to nature lives on at Tifft Nature Preserve, the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences is establishing the Gary Schwartz Fishing is Fun Program. This fund will allow for children from the City of Buffalo to learn to fish and, more importantly, to experience the inspiration and endless opportunities for exploration and discovery that the natural world offers.

It is our goal to host 30 Buffalo resident students each week of summer break for a fishing program each year during the lifetime of the Fund. Monies may be used for the following, and any additional purposes in support of the goal of the Gary Schwartz Fishing is Fun Program. The goal is to serve 300 children each year which means over the life of the fund, more than 1,000 children will be introduced to Tifft Nature Preserve, the joy of exploring the natural world around them and the fun of catch-and-release fishing.

• Purchase new or repair fishing equipment
• Transportation to and from Tifft Nature Preserve for students participating in Gary Schwartz Memorial Fishing Fund programs
• Promotion of fishing programs
• Refreshments for students participating in Gary Schwartz Memorial Fishing Fund programs
• Staff support, programmatic and administrative, for Gary Schwartz Memorial Fishing Fund programs

Structure
This will be a multi-year spend-down fund, the term of which will be determined by the total funds raised. Donated dollars will be invested with the goal of generating a robust return. Each year, the Society will take a distribution – projected to be in the range of $2,500 – $5,000 per year – to cover the costs outlined above.

Recognition
Donors to the Gary Schwartz Fishing is Fun Program will be recognized on signage on-site at Tifft Nature Preserve, as well as in the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences 2021-22 Annual Report.