If you ever thought one person couldn't make a difference, then you haven't met Leonard Ranne. Thanks to his efforts, 2,852 inner city youth from Dallas got a chance to catch their first fish on an educational field trip to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

An avid fisherman and conservationist Ranne has spent a great deal of his life making fishing better for everyone in Texas. An inductee into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame last year, Ranne is also president of the Freshwater Anglers Association. This year, through a special Texas Parks and Wildlife Community Outdoor Outreach Program grant, the Freshwater Anglers Association and the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department teamed up to make a "reel" difference in the lives of kids, according to Darlene Lewis, TPW Community Outdoor Outreach Program coordinator.

From June 12 through July 27, hundreds of kids were transported daily from recreation centers in Dallas to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. They spent the day learning how to identify fish, tie fishing knots, cast safely and of course, go fishing, as part of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Junior Angler Program. At the end of the day, they all took a pledge to get "hooked on fishing, not on drugs" and received a Junior Angler fish pin and certificate of achievement.

"This is one of the best programs that Texas Parks and Wildlife has for youngsters," Ranne said. "If we can get on the banks fishing, I think we can make a real difference."

The Community Outdoor Outreach Program was created in 1996 to assist and provide grants to non-profit organizations whose programs introduce young people, minorities and adults to outdoor environmental and recreational programs. Grants range from $5,000 to $30,000.

Organizations eligible to participate include local non-profit groups, non-political groups representing under-served populations, local governments and TPW-related programs. Programs eligible for grants include outdoor education, recreation, wildlife education, nature education, environmental education, recreation safety, historical and cultural programs and other initiatives related to the mission of TPW.

The grants program emphasizes projects providing service to ethnic minorities, youths, rural and inner city populations, women, persons with low income and persons with physical or mental disabilities.

The next CO-OP grants application deadline is Oct. 1, 2001. Grant applications are available by mail or through the TPW Web site (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/admin/spout_prog/community.htm). Write to Texas Parks and Wildlife, Attention: Community Outdoor Outreach Program, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX, 78744, call Darlene Lewis at (512) 912-7145 or Martin LeBlanc at (512) 912-7056.