Duane has a BS degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University and a MS degree in Zoology and Physiology from the University of Wyoming. He has been a member of the American Fisheries Society for over 25 years. Duane has served as President of the Missouri Chapter and is currently president of the Introduced Fish Section of AFS. He was an associate editor for the AFS journal Progressive Fish Culturist Duane served as Chair of the Legislative and Environmental Concerns Committee of MO-AFS for six years. In this position he was required to be the spokesperson for the Chapter in its three-year advocacy battle over in-stream gravel mining. He testified on the Missouri Chapter�s position related to gravel mining at numerous meetings of the Missouri Land Reclamation Commission and at congressional hearings in Jeff City. He also drafted position statements and letters for the Chapter regarding gravel mining, invasive species, and Missouri River activities by the Corps of Engineers. He also represented the Chapter at meetings led by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources that determined regulations required of aquaculture effluents. While Chapter President he initiated a substantial revision of our Chapter bylaws and our Procedures Manual. Duane served as chair for the Exhibits sub-committee at 2000 National AFS Meeting held in St. Louis. He has also served as treasurer of the Missouri Natural Resources Conference. Duane has authored or co-authored over 80 scientific presentations, 15 peer reviewed publications in journals, and 18 final reports. The breadth of his work is amazing; he has worked on topics such as fish physiology, zooplankton ecology, reservoir limnology, wetland ecology, aquatic ecotoxicology, and restoration of native live oaks to Padre Island National Park. However, he is probably best known as the go-to-guy for information on those crazy flying fish in Midwestern rivers. He has received a Letter of Recognition from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for his efforts in developing the Asian Carp Management and Control Plan. Duane has conducted countless interviews for newspapers, magazines, as well as radio and television broadcasts across the United States, Canada, and U.K. Duane currently works as a fisheries biologist in the River Studies Branch at the Columbia Environmental Research Center with the US Geological Survey. In this position he focuses his efforts on Asian carp biology and ecology. Specifically, he has projects focusing on habitat selection, sensitivity to piscicides, reproductive status, spawning requirements and nursery habitat, aging structure comparison and validation, natural hybridization, fish tissue contaminant analysis, use of stable isotopes to determine trophic status, and development of pheromones as a method for control. This past summer Duane helped host an Asian Carp Symposium in Illinois that showcased what is known about Asian carp control and management. Finally, Duane has worked with a team of scientists preparing what will be the most definitive and complete work on the biology, ecology, life history, ecological effects, and risk assessment of Asian carp, and this book is now in final review for publication. For his dedication to the American Fisheries Society and his leadership in the field of understanding Asian carp biology, ecology, management, and control, Duane Chapman is deserving of the John Funk Award of Excellence from the Missouri Chapter of AFS.

Duane Chapman also received the Conservation Federation of Missouri's Professional Conservationist of the Year Award for 2006 at the CFM Annual meeting in March.

Robert J. DiStefano � A. Stephen Weithman, Jr. Leadership Award

A native New Englander, Bob completed his B.A. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Eastern Kentucky University in 1982, and earned a M.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Virginia Tech in 1987. He came to Missouri shortly thereafter and joined the Missouri Department of Conservation as a Research (now Resource) Scientist.

Bob exemplifies all that is good and important in the fisheries profession. He is an excellent scientist, with a passion for implementing his studies into usable management activities. He values the work of the professional organization and understands the need to mentor the next generation of fisheries professionals. Bob is considered the expert on crayfish in Missouri, and is well known nationally and internationally for his expertise. His research has documented and elevated the status of crayfish as a critical element in stream ecosystems. He has developed methodologies for sampling to efficiently monitor populations. He has documented invasions of non-native and non-endemic species and their effects on native fauna. It is very likely that his efforts will result in rescuing more than one species from extirpation or even extinction. Bob has extensively examined the relation between crayfish and smallmouth bass with results increasing our understanding of effects on the prey base when fishing regulations are changed. His research program exemplifies collaborative efforts and he works closely with scientists from USGS, USFWS, USDA, University of Missouri, Tennessee Tech, and the University of Arkansas.

Bob has been a member of AFS since 1980 and participates in the Fisheries Management and Water Quality sections. He served on a committee that revised the Society�s Strategic Plan in 1999, and serves on the Certification Board of Appeals. As a student he was elected Treasurer of the Virginia Tech Chapter. He has been a member of the Missouri Chapter since 1986, and was elected Chapter President in 2002. Bob has served as an associate newsletter editor for the Chapter, a member of the MNRC planning committee, the Awards Committee, and the Rivers and Streams Technical Committee. Bob has served for over 15 years on the chapter�s Student Support Committee. He has spent significant amounts of time mentoring AFS Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Scholarship recipients, and in the development and strengthening of the University of Missouri undergraduate fisheries club (F.A.S.S.).

For several years Bob has closely mentored several students through the MDC hourly work program. Most of the students came to view Bob as a confidant, an advisor and as a friend. Bob takes a personal responsibility to advise, guide and assist his workers toward their future goals. He has done more in this area for University of Missouri students than any other non-university affiliated person. Many of these students have gone on to acquire graduate degrees and now work in responsible positions in the natural resources profession.

Leadership is an elusive quality, often hard to define. But it is clear that the activities of Bob DiStefano, the good science, the spirit engendered by his example of strengthening our professional society and his interest in the next generation of natural resource professionals should serve as an example of what is needed to ensure a bright future for our natural resources.

Kirksville Educators Honored by Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society

At the April 10, 2007, Kirksville School Board meeting, three local educators were recognizeded by the Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society for their efforts to promote outdoor learning among students at Kirksville Middle School.

Mike Bartig, James Hendler, and Vince Fitzgerald have implemented unconventional approaches to conservation education that are effective and can serve as models for other schools. They have sponsored the Kirksville Middle School Outdoors Club which promotes conservation and teaches students the fundamentals of mass communication. Through this innovative program, students produce scripted videos focusing on a variety of outdoor activities. In a related program, Mike, James and Vince coordinated a student essay contest using the student�s most memorable fishing trip as the essay theme. Contest winners were treated to a trip to the Missouri Ozarks where they were exposed to a variety of conservation topics and spent time fishing for trout.

The Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society presented a Letter of Recognition to Mike Bartig, James Hendler and Vince Fitzegerald for their dedication to the students of Kirksville Middle School and their tireless and dynamic support for conservation education.

Bill Ambrose is awarded the MO AFS Citizens Award

In 1998, Bill purchased a 325 acre farm along Little Tavern Creek in eastern Miller County. Since that time, Bill has implemented a number of practices both in the aquatic and upland arenas which benefit native species, lending credence to the theory that wildlife and agriculture can not only co-exist, but thrive together. The major practices Bill has applied on his property are as follows: rock weirs and rock revetment for bank stabilization on Little Tavern Creek (Bill provided 100% of the rock that was used in these projects), riparian planting (and battling the beavers that continue to find it attractive), solar watering system for livestock, food plot establishment, fencing to restrict the movement of livestock into forested areas and streams, edge feathering to improve wildlife habitat, glade restoration. Bill was also a very energetic and vocal advocate for the replacement of Massman slab, a slab low-water bridge at the downstream end of his property, with a span bridge that enhances fish passage (including Niangua Darter) and improves downstream sediment transport. Bill hosted several on-site and two evening meetings at his cabin to bring all of the stakeholders together on this project. The span bridge was successfully completed in Spring 2006.

Antique Hatching Jar Donation by MOAFS to MDC

The Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society recognized Jim Kahrs for his lifelong contributions to fish farming and aquaculture techniques and for a generous donation of an antique egg hatching jar that Jim donated to MOAFS to be auctioned off at the AFS 2000 Meeting held in St. Louis. MOAFS did not receive a high enough bids on this jar and on February 1, 2007 at the 45^th annual meeting MOAFS donated the jar to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Jim Kahrs passed away Sunday, September 3, 2006. Jim graduated from Oregon State University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology and Bachelor of Science in Fish and Game Management. Jim was very active in the Chapter and served as the second president of the Missouri Chapter from 1965-66.

Jim established Osage Catfisheries (OCI) in 1953, becoming the first private warm-water fish hatchery in Missouri to produce channel catfish for commercial purposes. Through diversification with a large number of other special species, OCI has become the Midwest�s oldest and largest multi-species hatchery and is recognized as a leader in international aquaculture. Jim was widely recognized throughout the world in the field of aquaculture as a pioneer, a one of a kind individual. Jim was awarded many honors in his life including, Catfish Farmers of America, Catfish Farmer of the Year in 1982, American Fisheries Society, inducted into the Fish Hatchery Hall of Fame in 1999, the National Aquaculture Association and the Joe McCraran Award for Distinguished Lifetime Contributions of Aquaculture in 2000.

Jim�s wife, Elizabeth M. Kahrs; and Steve Kahrs attended the MOAFS business meeting to witness the donation of the jar and a plaque recognizing Jim Kahrs for his donation. The jar and plaque will be displayed in a case at one of the MDC hatcheries� visitor centers.

Steve Eder, Missouri Department of Conservation, Fisheries Division Chief, accepts the donation of the hatching jar from Steve Kahrs and Ron Dent

A. Stephen Weithman Best Student Paper Award in Socioeconomics

The Missouri Chapter and the Socioeconomics Section of the AFS sponsor the A. Stephen Weithman Best Student Paper Award in Socioeconomics. The award is presented for the best platform or poster paper presented by a student at the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Papers are judged on content, originality, organization, and contribution to the field of fisheries science, and overall presentation of the study. The award winner receives $150 and an award certificate following the annual meeting. See: http://www.fisheries.org/socioecon/Awards/index.html

2006 winners are:

Winner: Kathy Mills, Cornell University, "Confronting Trade-Offs Associated with Ecosystem-Based Management: An Evaluation of Alternative Governance Arrangements" http://www.fisheries.org/units/socioecon/Awards/mills.pdf

Honorable Mention: Sara Hughes, Michigan State University, "Filling the Holes in Water Management: Groundwater, Values and Trout" http://www.fisheries.org/units/socioecon/Awards/hughes.pdf

Honorable Mention: Tom Lang, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, "Use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) for Collecting Angler Survey Data"

Sherry Fisher receives an Award of Appreciation for her contribution as MO AFS Secretary

Vince Travnichek receives an Award of Appreciation for his contribution as MO AFS Chapter President