FWC Honors Ignacio Borbolla for Youth Conservation & Education Work

Miami, FL (December 26, 2017) – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has honored Coral Gables businessman Ignacio Borbolla for his conservation and outdoor education work with Miami-area high school students.

FWC’s Distinguished Service Award was presented in Miami before an audience of 60 FWC officers, staff and students from the Christopher Columbus High School Anglers Club.

Ignacio Borbolla & FWC

As a board member of the nonprofit Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Mr. Borbolla has worked closely with FWC law enforcement officers and biologists in South Florida to introduce Miami-area high school students to saltwater fishing, boating safety and careers in conservation and wildlife law enforcement. Many urban students are not aware that conservation is a viable career opportunity. Equally important is teaching boating safety, given the increasing number of boats plying Florida waters.

“I am really humbled to accept this award,” said Mr. Borbolla. “Fewer and fewer children and teens are spending time out of doors, and research shows it negatively affects many kids’ self-esteem and physical health. Ultimately, I want them to know they can make fishing, boating and conservation a lifelong hobby or career.”

FWC officers answered questions from the students from the Columbus High School Anglers Club and invited them to report next year on the Club’s conservation projects. The Anglers Club also began hosting a bass fishing tournament with help from FWC and Mr. Borbolla, who hope to broaden outreach to a number of area schools.

Ignacio Borbolla joined the board of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation in 2016, serving as chair of the organization’s annual BlueGreen fundraising gala. Since its inception in 1994, the Foundation has raised and given away nearly $30 million to FWC and other conservation organizations around the state.

For more information about the Foundation, visit www.flfishdev.wpengine.com.