Chairpersons

Dan Kenney
cuttquest10@gmail.com

Cynthia Nau
cynthia.nau@idfg.idaho.gov

Jeff Strait
jeff.strait@idfg.idaho.gov
Overview
The Native Fish Committee is comprised of a diverse group of fisheries scientists representing many different federal, state, and tribal agencies and private enterprises. The committee has focused on educational outreach from the classroom to an annual foray to explore native fish assemblages or species in their natural environment. Periodically the committee finds itself representing a native species at risk and writing letters of support for conservation actions or a position statement on behalf of native fish and the chapter. The committee recognizes the issues and problems confronting Idaho’s native fish from anthropogenic impacts to natural or succession changes and the impacts of non-native species. Regardless of the species stature regarding sport and non-sport fish all are important components to a fish assemblage and ecosystem. Annually recognition is given with the R. L. Wallace Award to an individual or individuals that have made an exemplary effort or efforts on behalf of an Idaho native fish or fishes.
Mission
The Mission of the Native Fish Committee is to promote the conservation of Idaho’s native fish through education and outreach activities, public recognition of outstanding work towards native fish conservation; and to serve as an outlet for the discussion and dissemination of information pertinent to Idaho’s native fish.
Goals
The committee will seek to accomplish the committee mission through the following goals:
- Educate biologists, chapter members, and other interested parties on the biology, habitat requirements, status, and threats/impacts to Idaho’s native fish.
- Publicly acknowledge individuals or groups who have made noteworthy contributions to the conservation of Idaho’s native fish.
- Provide technical assistance to the chapter on issues involving native fish.
Recent Accomplishments
- The Native Fish Committee developed a supplemental lesson on Idaho’s native trout for use by Trout in the Classroom (TIC) teachers and mentors. The objective of the lesson is to introduce students to the concept of native animals, specifically Idaho’s native trout, and how they differ from one another in color, markings, and distribution. This lesson is available on theĀ ICAFS Education webpage.