Six years ago, a retired police officer and construction company owner saw the need to help children from low-income families stay off the street and give their lives fulfillment. He chose to do so through fishing.

“All the kids benefit from activities like this. You know, it gives them something to look forward to,” said Captain Rich Brochu in a MSNBC report. “Obviously, we want to give them a choice in life and hopefully do something better with their life.”

Brochu and his crew of 8 to 18 year old kids were the spotlight of MSNBC’s “Making A Difference”, a segment on the extraordinary positive things taking place around the United States led by ordinary people.

The after-school fishing program (Florida Fishing Academy) teaches children about a healthy lifestyle, not only enriched by spending time out on the water, but also warns against drugs, alcohol and crime. Kids learn life lessons and fishing after school, then go out on the water to learn about conservation while fishing for shark, swordfish, deep-sea fishing and drift fishing.

Find out more and hear about it from the kids themselves in the video below.

Every year the U.S. Army’s Sniper School at Fort Benning, GA, hosts the International Sniper Competition, inviting the best snipers from around the world to compete. This mentally and physically taxing competition challenges the participants’ precision, endurance, stalking and observational skills. These intense events are revealed in this action packed film, available immediately for purchase through Amazon, eBay and other retailers.

SNIPER COMP takes audiences alongside elite sniper teams from around the world as they embark on the most demanding test of a sniper’s skills imaginable — The International Sniper Competition. The competition showcases thirty-two teams from the Army, Army National Guard, Marine Corps, Air Force, Special Forces, SWAT and three foreign countries that will compete in eighteen events and combat simulations over the course of seven days that will test every skill they have.

Profits from SNIPER COMP are donated to the following non-profits: The US Army Sniper Association (www.armysniper.org) and the USMC Scout/Sniper Association (www.usmcscoutsniper.org.) This production was created in the effort to raise money for deployed forces and honor fallen soldiers.

The Kalamazoo Nature Center (KNC) is pleased to announce the release of the second Breeding Bird Atlas for the state of Michigan. KNC coordinated the fieldwork and data collection which occurred between 2002 and 2008. More than 800 volunteers contributed to the project by making observations and confirming species throughout Michigan. The Michigan Breeding Birds Atlas (MBBA II) is available online at www.mibirdatlas.org. If you are interested in the birds in your backyard or in detailed background analysis and maps depicting where different species occur, nearly 250 species are covered in this searchable/printable Web publication. The first Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas (MBBA I), also led by KNC and completed in 1988, is also on the site. The MBBA I, a printed publication, published in 1991, has been digitized for viewing and/or download.

Michigan is one of the few states to produce a second breeding bird atlas, the purpose of which is to

• Document the current distribution of Michigan’s breeding birds
• Document changes in distribution since Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas I
• Identify Important Bird Areas of high conservation value
• Provide data to agencies for incorporation into their habitat and conservation plans
• Increase the public’s expertise and involvement in birding

Additional sections on bird conservation issues and updated natural communities maps are on the site.

Natural resource professionals can use the information to assist them in making management decisions and anyone interested in learning more about birds, nature, conservation, and the environment will benefit from the accounts found in the Atlas.

$100,000 is a lot of money. Money that can make a difference. Life changing money. But it’s not what you might call retirement money. At least that’s what Dustin Ellermann, winner of last season’s Top Shot on History Channel soon discovered after his 2011 win.

Despite the general hoopla that goes along with taking first place on a top rated show, there is still the reality of finding a job and earning a living. As the head muckety muck of Camp His Way, Dustin already has a job. One that he performs with his family and truly loves. But the Top Shot victory means there could be more.

“Taran Butler (experienced 3-gunner and expert on Top Shot) is trying to get me into 3-gun,” said Ellermann. “He said we’ll get you hooked up and you’ll end up in the top 10 sure enough because he believes in me.”

Most people who qualify for the show would jump at the chance to shoot for a living. But for Dustin, the work he does at Camp His Way is more of a calling then a job. A calling that requires something that most of us have precious little of: time.

“I’m not sure if I have that time to commit. But it sounds like fun so I might be going that way.”

Making it happen with LaRue and Savage

While filming Top Shot, competitors were presented with a number of different guns. Pistols, rifles and shotguns from almost a dozen different manufacturers. Although all were great fun, there were a few who stood out.

“I have a partnership with LaRue Tactical because they make some awesome guns,” Ellermann explained. “The OBRs is one of my favorites from the show.”

Before we could go into greater detail, another group of adoring fans came by with smiles, well wishes and additional adulations. It was a common theme throughout the SHOT Show interview. A few pictures and handshakes later, we’d made it to the NRA booth and finished things up.

“I’ve also done some local range days with Savage,” said Ellermann. “Met a lot of fans and got the Savage name out there. I get to fly out to the factory next week and build my own, so that’ll be fun.”

Fun is what Dustin seems to have in great quantity. With a supportive group of family and friends, his future appears both bright and unlimited. There’s talk of a Top Shot All-Star show, more personal appearances and a rise in Camp His Way applications that will keep the counselors busy for decades. The only problem, as if often the case in these situations, is the product of his own success.

“I also have a .338 coming from Savage.”

That doesn’t sound all that bad. What’s the problem?

“Problem is getting the ammunition,” Ellermann grinned “It costs a lot to feed those beasts.”

Dominion Riverrock announced today a partnership with Subaru of America, Inc. through which Subaru will serve as the presenting sponsor of the 2012 Dominion Riverrock festival in Richmond, VA. The fourth annual river life festival is set to take place on May 18-20 and will be packed with outdoor sports, vendors, and music.

“As one of the nation’s premier outdoor events, Dominion Riverrock Presented by Subaru, is an ideal opportunity for Subaru to showcase our brand and vehicles in front of a tremendous crowd of avid, outdoor enthusiasts. We’re excited to return this year in a larger capacity as the presenting sponsor,” said Todd Lawrence, Promotions and Sponsorship Manager for Subaru of America, Inc.

“Subaru is a leader in promoting the urban ‘park and play’ lifestyle that Dominion Riverrock is all about so we’re thrilled to partner with them,” said Jeff Fitch, the Director of Sponsorship for the festival.