Public Education Committee

Chairperson

Overview

The American Fisheries Society is an organization of professionals that is dedicated to strengthening the fisheries profession, advancing fisheries science, and conserving fisheries resources. Public education and outreach activities that increase understanding and respect of aquatic resources are critical to achieve this mission.

Members of the Idaho Chapter Public Education committee come together from varied backgrounds with different strengths and a common goal to share knowledge and foster respect for aquatic resources. Our committee has a hand in educating people of all ages about aquatic resources and helping budding fisheries professionals achieve their career goals.

For more information on various educational resources such as Aquatic Ed/Trout in the Classroom grants, Webinars, and Fishes of Idaho, please visit the Education Resources page.

Mission

The mission of the Public Education committee is to increase public knowledge, respect and stewardship for aquatic resources.

Goals

The committee will seek to accomplish the mission through the following goals:

  1. Support K-12 classroom and community activities promoting aquatic resource stewardship.
  2. Increase general public knowledge of current issues and stewardship of aquatic resources.
  3. Provide monetary support for higher education students pursuing fisheries-related degrees in Idaho.
  4. Expand awareness to those of diverse social standings to share the wealth of knowledge regarding aquatic education resources.

Recent Accomplishments

  • Developed Douglas J. Megargle Memorial graduate scholarship application and award process in 2024
  • Advertised and awarded annual high school, undergraduate, and graduate Chapter scholarships, the Susan B. Martin graduate scholarship, and the Travel Opportunity or Project grant
  • Coordinated with Trout in the Classroom schools and Trout Unlimited to create fish bookmarks to distribute to registrants at our annual meeting
  • Provided grants for transportation costs and field supplies for Trout in the Classroom fish release field trips
  • Supported a Donnelly Elementary school proposal to fund video equipment upgrades and software for a fish behavior study and associated community outreach
  • Supported Council School District project to purchase water quality sampling equipment and an underwater camera for habitat use observations
  • Supported a Wild Science Explorers proposal to purchase macroinvertebrate investigation and fishing gear for stream ecology lessons