This is a copy of the text from an email I received from Noreen about her activities of the last few weeks. I thought it would be good for everyone to see what goes on at the National level and how it benefits each of us:
I know that communications from me has been slim the past 3 weeks - I've been on the road as some of you know. So I thought I'd give you a summary of what I've been up to:
There were two main reasons for these trips: 1: I am the alternate for Jerry McKinnis on the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council (SFBPC) that serves the Secretary of the Interior . Because this was Jerry's first SFBPC meeting, I went with him for support (San Francisco); and 2: Re-establishing B.A.S.S. Conservation relationships with various groups, committees and individuals at the annual meetings of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) and Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) . (Seattle and Omaha). The Berkley Conservation Leaders Advisory Team (CLAT) of which I'm a member, met in between in Portland, OR.
In addition to providing Jerry's back-up at the SFBPC meeting, I am a member of the SFBPC Fisheries Committee, and we had several discussions with the council and members of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding our serious concerns about the future direction of the FWS Fisheries program. This is an ongoing issue that I've dealt with thru the Council for over a decade, either heading up or serving on several comprehensive review groups. I was pleased at how engaged Jerry was in council discussions. We have been assured by the USFWS that they will involve the Council early in their strategic planning process.
In Seattle at AFS, I participated in a variety of committee meetings involved in fisheries administration, biology, and management. I also attended an all-day leadership seminar, and a day of scientific papers persented on the effects of fishing regulations on freshwater fisheries management, ecology , biology, and life-history. In addition, I participated in a Michigan State University Fisheries program alumni session where there was a gathering of the MSU Fly Gals (I am one, believe it or not). I also got to meet and spend time with three new MSU fisheries graduate students whom I'll help mentor as part of my commitment to Dr. Bill Taylor. I was also able to spend limited time with Dr.Mike Allen in discussion about the fisheries management workshop we're considering for part of the BASS FN Conservation Director's Summit at the 2012 Classic.
While in Portland, the Berkley CLAT discussed the merits of either/or Jim Martin (Berkley conservation director) and/or me using an MSU graduate student as a part-time intern. Both Jim and I are solo in our positions and often need significant help to move our strategies to the next level. There was no decision, but we'll continue to pursue with Dr. Taylor and others. I have also discussed the possibility with Dr. Allen from U of Florida, and with Dave Precht, regarding a student at UGA.. Oh - by the way - our CLAT team always combines a fishing trip with our two yearly meetings - this time it was on the Columbia river out of Washington/Oregon - 8 of us fished and all 8 caught their fall chinook - mine was a tie with an MSU student - each of us getting a 40-lb fish!
I finished my trip with a week in Omaha having renewed relationships with many federal and state government fish and wildlife officials, including many state fish chiefs - always a great benefit. Also had a great conversation with Martin MacDonald of BassPro shops - their state-of-the-art 5th grade educational facility/program at BassPro's flagship headquarters - the New Wonders of Wildlife Conservation Education Center, in Springfield, MO, will be of much interest to Jerry McK and his commitment to youth.
As with AFS, I am a member of a variety of AFWA committees and attended all those meetings - including national grants committee, legislative & federal budget, fish & wildlife health, invasive species, onshore oil & gas, fisheries & water resource policy, angler/boater participation, lead and fish and wildlife working group, and fish & wildlife trust funds. I also got updates on the status of initiatives of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, as well as spending time with American Sportfishing Association staff. I participated in several discussions about the National Fish Habitat Partnership because so many of you are thinking of or have already gotten involved at the state level, got updated on asian carp problems; state-by-state updates on the use of lead tackle, status of BP gulf restoration funding, and about the threat to native fisheries from genetically modified salmon for aquaculture production.
While in Omaha I had the good fortune to meet with Alabama Director of wildlife and freshwater fisheries, Corky Pugh and his wife, whom I treated to dinner and discussions about B.A.S.S. and our move back to Alabama. I also met with Teeg Stouffer of Recycled Fish and I've connected you all to him in case you want to develop a one-on-one relationship to expand conservation opportunities working with some of the Recycled Fish programs. The Director of Virginia Game and Fish discussed with me his desire to re-invigorate their relationship with VA BFN. I told him we had both a new President and CD in VA and that I would connect the dots.
Guess that about sums it up.
I'm back in the office in Celebration - we've got Communications and Classic Planning Team conference calls this week. On Wednesday I am honored to be speaking by phone with Rebecca Wodder, formerly of American Rivers, who is the nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks - she wants to talk about freshwater fishing! And on Friday I will participate by conference call with the SFBPC Fisheries Committee in a discussion with the Office of Management and Budget Examiner for the USFWS Fisheries Program about our stakeholder concerns regarding the program.
The woman is a busy lady!!
