Tuesday, November 3

All Tuesday activities will be in the MONTELAGO II (except the Regional meetings)

7:30am - 8:30 Breakfast [included]

8:30 - 9:30 Welcome to Nevada - Doug Neilsen, NV Dept of Wildlife, Southern Region Supervisor

9:30 -10:30 New Officer Installation & Membership Meeting

10:30 - 10:45 Break

10:45 - 11:45 Regional Meetings & Report Out (in Breakout rooms)

• Northeast:  Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont

• Mid-Atlantic:  Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia 

• Southeast:  Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands 

• North-Central:  Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin

• Midwest:  Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming

• Southwest:  Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

• Far West:  Alaska, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington

• Pacific:  American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands

11:45 - 12:00 ASA Grant Opportunities - BeBe Harrison, Executive Director of Hampton Wildlife Fund

Noon - 1:00 pm Lunch [included]

12:15 Silent Auction Opens

1:00 - 1:30 Office of Conservation Investment Updates 

• National Update - Casey Bruner, USFWS OCI, Northwest

• TRACS Optimization - Patricia Thompson, USFWS OCI Midwest & Ruth Utzurrum, USFWS OCI Grants, Northwest

1:30 - 1:45 Break

1:45 - 3:25 AED (Aquatic Education Discussion) Talks [general session]  

• Beyond the First Fish: A Boots in the Water Approach to R3  - Pamela Corwin, SC Dept. Natural Resources

The SC DNR Saltwater Fishing Education Program is designed to recruit, retain, and reactivate saltwater anglers through accessible, skill-building opportunities. Progressive clinics and classes use experienced anglers to provide instruction and mentorship. Program evaluations demonstrate strong R3 outcomes and it reduces barriers to participation through access to equipment, instruction, and guidance for anglers who may face financial or knowledge-based challenges. 

• A Glimpse into an Unconventional R3 Strategy  Sage McGill, SC Dept. of Natural Resources

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has combined hands-on crabbing instruction with blue crab research to create an R3 experience that builds both participant skills and conservation stewardship. This presentation will highlight program development, volunteer engagement, participant feedback, and lessons learned from integrating education, recreation, and applied research. Attendees will get ideas for incorporating citizen science into their own R3 programming.

• Maryland's Sunfish and Students Program - Chrischion Hutchins, MD Dept. Natural Resources

Maryland’s Sunfish & Students program is an initiative that allows students to raise juvenile bluegill sunfish in their classrooms throughout the school year. It allows schools that cannot participate in Trout in the Classroom due to their location to raise fish in the classroom. Students gain a deeper understanding of aquatic ecosystems, water quality, fish biology, and conservation while developing a personal connection to Maryland's natural resources. Fish are released into approved waterways at the end of the school year.

• Rod and Reelcycling: New Life for Old Fishing Gear - Larry Pape, NE Game and Parks Commission

Over the years, NE Game and Parks (NGPC) has received thousands of donated fishing rods, reels, and assorted fishing tackle and equipment. Anything salvageable historically has been given to NGPC Youth Fishing Instructors to reel-distribute in their communities. In 2021, a volunteer offered to recondition useable spin casting rods and reels for families and children. Reel-distribution is now made at sites across the state. As of June 2026, we have returned over 1,000 pieces of fishing equipment and assorted tackle to children and families throughout Nebraska.

• From Books to Bobbers: Partnering with Public Libraries to Grow New Anglers - Stephanie Tuckfield, MD Dept. of Natural Resources

What if borrowing a fishing rod was as easy as borrowing a book? The Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Tackle Loaner Program and Learn to Fish library sessions are reducing barriers to fishing by bringing equipment, education, and outdoor recreation directly into trusted community spaces. Through partnerships with public libraries, families can borrow fishing gear at no cost and participate in hands-on beginner programs that build confidence before heading to the water.

• Life After RBFF: The Importance of Strong Partnerships - Kimberly Sullivan, RI DEM, Division of Fish and Wildlife

Like many states, Rhode Island benefitted from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation's Vamos a Pescar Educational Grant. For six years, the Partnership for Providence Parks partnered with RI DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife's Aquatic Resource Education program and the USFWS Refuge program to offer a minimum of three fishing events based on The Stepping Stones of Engagement. This presentation highlights steps taken to ensure the program endured despite the loss of RBFF funding.                           

3:25 - 3:40 Break

3:40 - 5:10  AED Extended Versions

•  Finding Fishable Waters in Arid Conditions - Abbey Czarnecki, NV Dept. of Wildlife

How to keep angling fun and relevant one drop at a time in arid conditions: We will talk about how with limited resources anyone can recruit, retain, and reactive anglers of all ages with a little creativity and prep work. 

• A Partnership Approach to Fishing R3 - Doug Burt, AZ Game and Fish

State wildlife agencies face limitations in their ability to move participants through the adoption sequence toward becoming conservationists. This presentation explores why additional support and collaboration are needed to address gaps, expand reach, and strengthen long-term engagement. Participants will learn about a partnership-based model designed to increase scale, capacity, and sustainability, including the role of partners, key elements of the model, and opportunities to build lasting connections between recreation and conservation.

• Fostering Collaboration: Encouraging Best Fishing Practices - Bebe Harrison, Angling Women

Join this session for some candid conversation on how AREA can help set the bar for excellence in aquatic education programming. If you have your own set of best practices that you use in your state, bring a copy and let’s chat! Let’s come together to elevate the playing field for excellence in aquatic education programming. State Agency programming has a standard that is monitored through US Fish and Wildlife Service. Having a rubric or evaluation tool can help ensure all aquatic education programs are designed, developed, and delivered properly. This can help with future sponsorship requests and partnership requests. 

5:10   Announcements

5:30   Dinner on Your Own - Google Map restaurants in the area ----> link

8:00 - 10:00 Hospitality Room PIAZZA