April 2008 |
The
REDD
Missouri Chapter - American Fisheries Society Est. 1965 Page 7 |
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| 'Circling
the Redd'
Newsletter Editor Matt Matheney Web Assistant: John Fantz
'Circling the Redd' Newsletter Editor Matt Matheney Web Assistant: John Fantz
'Circling the Redd' Newsletter Editor Matt Matheney Web Assistant: John Fantz
'Circling the Redd' Newsletter Editor Matt Matheney Web Assistant: John Fantz
'Circling the Redd' Newsletter Editor Matt Matheney Web Assistant: John Fantz
'Circling the Redd' Newsletter Editor Matt Matheney Web Assistant: John Fantz
'Circling the Redd' Newsletter Editor Matt Matheney Web Assistant: John Fantz
'Circling the Redd' Newsletter Editor Matt Matheney Web Assistant: John Fantz
'Circling the Redd'
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MO
AFS News 2007 MO AFS President’s Report Respectfully submitted by: Brian
D. Canaday, President, 2007 Well, how did you do on your “one” thing? ● As a chapter we have an impressive list of accomplishments – check the next newsletter for the list. The following are a few key highlights: ● MO Chapter partnered with MDC Resource Science Division on a series of focus group discussions where Zebra Mussels and Invasive species were the topics – Preliminary results will be presented here at the MNRC with a formal report soon ● MOAFS sponsored or co-sponsored events across the state including: Fishing events Fairs The Endangered species fun run The Missouri Natural Resources Conference ● MO AFS coordinated and conducted continuing education events for membership in the form of stream management workshops at the MNRC ● Members of the MO Chapter provided expert testimony at the Missouri State Capitol, drafted letters of support, and attended numerous committee hearings to stay involved with issues affecting our aquatic resources in Missouri. ● One of the things I am most proud of is the recent professional recognition of two of our members. At the Conservation Federation of Missouri’s annual meeting later this month, Dr. Vince Travnicheck will receive the Conservation Federation’s Conservationist of the Year Award for 2007 Rob Pulliam will receive the Conservation Federation’s Professional Conservationist of the Year Award for 2007 This list is
impressive and you should be proud of what you (we) have accomplished.
Having said that, I can’t help but think that so much more
could be done. What could
you do to help? Consider helping with a committee, organizing an event,
working a booth, drafting a letter of support, attending a committee
hearing, or running for a chapter office.
The leadership skills and experience you will gain will prove
valuable to you in your career as a fisheries professional.
In closing, I will leave you with this question: How did you do on your “one” thing? At the Annual Meeting as well as my previous President’s Message, I challenged each of you to do one thing for the Missouri Chapter. Have you done it yet? If not, why? If so, can you do more? Please drop me a note to let me know how you are doing. Leadership Opportunities - by 2007 President Brian Canaday
Minutes from the Febuary 1, 2007 MO AFS Annual Meeting
The Chapter’s proposed bylaw changes were approved by the parent society during the 137th annual meeting in San Francisco, CA in September, 2007. Read the new bylaws Bob Schulz 01/23/08 3:19 PM >>> Brian,
Disabled Angler Committee Activity On Saturday Sept 22nd Choices For People Center held it's 4th annual "A Day at the Ol' Fishing Hole". This event was held at Lion's Club Park. Folks came from Rolla, St James, and as far away as Waynesville. This event allows persons with disabilities to participate in outdoor activities that they may not otherwise be able to attend. Approximately 50 guests and about 30 volunteers particapted in free fishing and a BBQ. Door prizes and lots of food were available. Bait and special adaptive equipment were also provided. Although the fish weren't biting as well as they could of, no one seemed to notice. This is a great example of members of the community working together to help those less fortunate. Choices For People Center would like to thank Rolla Lions Club, Missouri Dept of Conservation, Lambda Sigma Pi, Wheeling Sportsman, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, Butternut Bread, American Fisheries Society, and Walmart.
The
2007 MOAFS ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HISTORY COMMITTEE Chair: Joe G. Dillard 2007 Accomplishments: Collected, sorted, compiled and filed records; continued development of a “short history” of the Chapter; responded to questions and inquires about the Chapter 2008 Plans: Continue “short history”; continue to collect, sort, compile and file Chapter records; update current records; begin to move Chapter records to the Western Historical Manuscript Collection at the University of Missouri Library for permanent storage
2007
MOWIN Annual Report MOWIN is currently in a holding pattern. Their grant funds ran out in 2006, including that which funded the Advisory Committee on which I represented MoAFS. Due to lack of funds, maintenance and administration of the website has been given to CARES, although MOWIN is still a project of the Water Quality Education Program at MU Extension. Bob Broz is trying to raise some funds to upgrade the website, but probably will not have any additional funds this year. Bob Schulz - MO AFS MOWIN Representative
Missouri
Natural Resources Steering Committee - MOAFS 2010 MOAFS
membership help is needed. MOAFS was represented this past year on the 2008 Missouri Natural Resource Conference (MNRC) planning committee by Mike Smith who will be the steering committee chair for the 2010 meeting. MOAFS participation will increase this year. While the Soil and Water Society has the lead for the 2009 meeting it will be important for the MOAFS 2010 committee members to participate during 2008 to both shadow and support their counterparts in the other professional societies. The MOAFS 2010 MNRC Committee members are: Chair, Mike Smith; Meeting Treasurer, Jason Persinger; Registration, Kim Bax; Arrangements, Leanna Zweig; Program Committee, Vince Travnichek; Exhibits and Sponsors, Wes Swee; Social Committee, Brian Canaday, Workshop, Jane Cotton; Student Job Fair, Paul Horner and Chris Williamson, There are still a few vacancies on the 2010 MNRC Steering committee for MOAFS members to fill. They are: Visual Aid and Equipment, Workshop (needs a co-chair), Publicity, and Web Liaison. Participation in the planning of the MNRC is an excellent leadership experience. If you would like to serve as a co-chair, you are welcome to apply. Please contact: Mike Smith (573-522-4115 ext. 3152 mike.smith@mdc.mo.gov if you are interested. Scenes from MO AFS at the 2008 MNRC
Identifying zebra mussel educational needs and boat use patterns in Missouri During 2007, the Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society teamed up with the Missouri Department of Conservation to help sponsor a series of focus groups to find out more about Aquatic invasive species, in particular....zebra mussels. The focus groups were designed to help us understand how to better focus education efforts and understand boat use patterns in the state. To do this, 5 regional focus group discussions were held to get insight from registered boat owners on how to control the spread and develop an understanding of how boat use patterns might affect the spread. Focus group sessions revolved around 8 main questions and related probing questions. Most attendees were 31+ year old males that boated on a regular basis with >10 years of boating experience. As expected, most attendees frequented waterbodies near their home, but several indicated traveling both within and outside the state, including to zebra mussel infested areas. Most attendees knew the usual prescribed methods for inspecting watercraft, but there was still confusion about some of the methods and a great deal of confusion and misinformation about the effects of zebra mussels, the history of their spread in the U.S., and their biology. The findings from the focus groups will be used in the evaluation of MDC’s information campaign to prevent further spread of zebra mussels. A paper presentation was be presented at the 2008 MNRC (abstract). A formal report or "white paper" will be forthcoming and a link to it will be placed on the MO Chapter Web site. For questions or more information, please feel free to contact MO Chapter members Stephen McMurray or Brian Canaday.
Kirksville King of Kids Fishing On Saturday, May 17, 2008, chapter member Mike Anderson presented a plaque from the MOAFS to local sports radio personality John McConnell in recognition of the 25th annual Jim Baker/John McConnell "Bass-N-Kids Classic" at Thousand Hills State Park in Kirksville, Missouri. For the past 25 years John has organized the annual event in conjunction with an adult fishing tournament and secured donations to provide everything from free hotdogs to fishing rod-and-reel combos to the participating young anglers. The event has always begun with a fishing clinic and ended with prizes being awarded for categories such as "biggest fish" and "most fish." No kid ever goes home empty handed. The annual event averages around 100 young participants, meaning John has helped introduce fishing to nearly 2,500 children. Some of the original participants have been returning to the event with their children, showing that there is a generational effect with this type of investment. The inscription on the plaque read, "The Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society recognizes JOHN McCONNELL for 25 years of recruiting young anglers at the Jim Baker/John McConnell “Bass-N-Kids” Classic at Forest Lake."
Student News Student
support: Great things occurred in 2007 on the student support front!
Several MOAFS members have been making strides to increase interest
in MOAFS from aquatics students at UCM-Warrensburg and Missouri State. UCM-Warrensburg
is ready to become an official student sub-unit.
The MU FASS sub-unit continues to be active as well, and provides a
great example of what a student sub-unit can accomplish. Jennifer Guyot volunteered as the chair for this committee and is looking forward to working with students and their MOAFS liaisons.
Fisheries
and Aquatic Sciences Society Student
Subunit of the American Fisheries Society Since 1992 Check out the FASS website for the latest student activities Scholarship Information - information is dated but should hold true Useful job links: https://mdc5.mdc.mo.gov/recruitment/Recruitment.aspx?strRoute=x http://www.iowadnr.com/employment/index.html http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/kdwp_info/jobs/current_kdwp_employment_opportunities http://www.agfc.com/employment/
PADDLEFISH (books) are GOING, GOING, gone! Joe G. Dillard, Paddlefish Book Sales Coordinator for NCD/AFS, says he still has few of these classics available for sale. For you new timers, or you old timers who have forgotten, "The Paddlefish: Status, Management and Propagation" is NCD/AFS Special Publication No. 7. Topics covered include paddlefish biology, distribution and abundance, management, propagation, threats to the future of the species and an extensive bibliography of all known publications on paddlefish from the 1700s to 1985. This proceedings of a symposium filled a long-standing need for synthesis of the research and literature on paddlefish. An important book for paddlefish managers, biologists, and anyone who would like to know more about this intriguing and valuable fish. Copies of this rapidly vanishing, valuable reference source of paddlefish information are available from:
Cost is $15 (U.S.) per copy which includes tax and shipping. If you are outside the U. S. add $2 (U.S.). Make checks payable to the North Central Division/American Fisheries Society in U.S. currency.
Ron Dent becomes new MDC Resource Science Division Chief Ron Dent, MO AFS President 1996-1997, has been chosen to lead the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Resource Science Division. In announcing the appointment, Conservation Department Director John Hoskins noted the depth and breadth of the new chiefs’ experience. Dent graduated from Southern Illinois University (SIU) with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology and zoology. His first resource-management job was as an aquatic biologist for Wapora, Inc., of Washington, D.C. He also worked as a research assistant at SIU. He went to work for the Conservation Department in 1976 as a fisheries biologist evaluating the effects of a 15-inch minimum length limit on black bass at Pomme de Terre Lake and Lake of the Ozarks. Since then he has worked as a fisheries management biologist, fisheries regional supervisor, fisheries research chief and resource science field chief. Dent’s professional affiliations include The Wildlife Society, the Society for Conservation Biology and the American Fisheries Society (AFS), whose Missouri chapter he served as president. He has received the Missouri Lifetime Achievement Award from Muskies, Inc., the Fisheries Management Employee of the Year Award, the John L. Funk Award of Excellence, the AFS Meritorious Service Award and the Resource Science Achievement Award. Dent noted that conservation challenges are more complex today than ever before and require collaboration across professional disciplines. He said the problems that wildlife and fisheries managers face today are interrelated with the problems of society at large. Solving those problems will require blending societal values and biological principles and cooperation with a wide range of public and private partners. He said he plans to meet with staff and other divisions to look for ways to meet this goal. Dent’s professional and personal interests blend well. He is an avid hunter, angler and canoeist and manages his cattle farm in Benton County to benefit wildlife. “We can manage our wild resources for the benefit of Missourians and still sustain the ecological integrity of our grasslands, wetlands, streams, agricultural lands and forests,” said Dent. “My goal is to provide a sound scientific basis for management decisions. With the incredible expertise of Resource Science Division employees, we are well prepared to support the Department of Conservation and Conservation Commission.” Join me in congratulating Ron in achieving his new position.
Bill Turner becomes new MDC Fisheries Division Chief Bill Turner attended St. Cloud State University in Minnesota where he obtained a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Master’s in Aquatic Ecology. He joined the Department in 1977 as a Fisheries Biologist, then assumed steadily progressive responsibilities as Fisheries Management Biologist and Fisheries Programs Coordinator, the latter including policy coordination assignments to facilitate the Department’s efforts in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing process. These positions gave him significant experience in resolving multiple, complex issues and in developing and nurturing partnerships with many diverse stakeholders including state and federal agencies, tourism and business, hydropower and landowners. Bill demonstrated his ability to negotiate significant gains for the Department’s natural resource objectives through the establishment and advancement of the MDC Stream Program and Next Generation of Conservation strategic planning efforts. As a supervisor and Site Administrator he understands the importance mentoring and guidance play in developing and maintaining strong relationships. He exhibits a commitment to short and long‑term fiscal integrity while maintaining a “big picture” perspective on complex and potentially contentious projects. He has authored and co‑authored technical and nontechnical papers and publications, developed popular video and slide show productions and participated in the design and presentation of stream dynamic workshops. Bill provides valuable resource management leadership and guidance in his affiliation with outside groups as well. He has been an active member of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), co‑founding and chairing the Rivers and Streams Technical Committee of the North Central Division; was President of the Missouri Chapter of AFS and co‑founder of the chapter’s Rivers and Streams Technical Committee; and is a member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the American Water Resources Association. Bill’s work and leadership has been recognized both internally and externally through the John L. Funk Award of Excellence (Missouri Chapter AFS), the Meritorious Service Award (North Central Division AFS), the Missouri State Employee of the Month and the Fisheries Division Employee of the Year. Through his extensive background, Bill has honed the characteristics necessary for the leadership of a vital Division. His proven technical expertise, verbal and written communication skills, strategic and innovative thinking, ability to address multiple, shifting demands, and ability to effectively negotiate positive outcomes will be invaluable as he undertakes Fisheries Division Chief responsibilities. These talents, along with his personal commitment to excellence and integrity, will enable him to successfully administer the Fisheries Division and be a vital member of the Department’s leadership team.
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