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Table of Contents
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Welcome to the 16th AREA Biennial Training Conference!
Welcome to the 16th AREA Biennial Training Conference!
On behalf of the Conference Committee, we welcome you to the 2026 AREA Training Conference.
Special thanks go to all those who have worked over the past two years to plan this gathering. We would also like to extend our thanks to the Awards Committee and the Board of Directors for their efforts to support the important work of angler and aquatic education. We would especially like to thank Riley Williams and Keaton Fish for keeping the website going after our webmaster, Carol Paterick, retired last year.
We hope that you enjoy the sessions and the opportunity to connect with colleagues, leaders in this nation’s Aquatic Resource Education. Learn, recharge, and return to the great work you all do, knowing you make a difference.
Karen Byrne, President-Elect
Abbey Czarnecki, President
Kimberly Sullivan, Immediate Past-President
Thank you to our conference partners:
Thank you to our conference partners:
Zebco's donation will be able to send our aquatic educators on a tour of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Since 1949, Zebco has been inspiring people to connect with nature through fishing. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, Zebco makes it easy to enjoy the great outdoors. With the Zebco Academy, you'll find clear and concise tutorials to help you master the basics and maximize your time on the water. So, grab your gear, gather your friends, and embark on a fishing adventure today!
Thank you to our conference partners:
Thank you to our conference partners:
The Office of Conservation Investment and our partners have fostered conservation under a variety of program names since our beginning more than 80 years ago. Our foundation is built on successful partnerships established through Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration grants. These grants are still going strong and are a cornerstone of our work. Today, the Office of Conservation Investment responsibilities have expanded, and other grants have been entrusted to us to manage. Collectively we provide grant administration and technical assistance for thousands of individual grants annually that support the operation and maintenance of wildlife management areas for hunting and wildlife viewing, support the operation and maintenance of areas to launch boats, foster imperiled and endangered species conservation, restore and enhance coastal wetlands, aid Tribal partners with wildlife and habitat stewardship, provide hunting and aquatic education courses for millions, and much more. The Office of Conservation Investment also supports other Service efforts in the administration of additional grant programs. Learn more about the grants we support through funding, oversight and administration, and technical support by clicking here.
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is a national leader in conservation, recreation and wildlife management. As a Division of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, we are Colorado’s primary agency focused on protecting and caring for some of our most valued and valuable resources. These resources form the very fabric of our state and define who we are. Our mission is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources.
Colorado offers unrivaled opportunity to fish over 35 species in some of the most scenic bodies of water. Fish anywhere in 6,000 miles of streams and more than 1,300 lakes and reservoirs. Annual fishing licenses are valid March 1 through March 31 (13 months). Youth aged 15 and under fish for free.
Thank you to our conference donors:
Thank you to our conference donors:
Barb Gigar
Eagle Claw
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
American Sportfishing Association's Women in Angling
Thank you to our conference host:
Thank you to our conference host:
A sincere thank you to the host state for allowing us to visit and experience your beautiful state!
Nevada Department of Wildlife
Nevada Department of Wildlife
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is the state agency responsible for the restoration and management of fish and wildlife resources, and the promotion of boating safety on Nevada’s waters. NDOW is organized into seven divisions (Conservation Education, Habitat, Game, Data and Technology Services, Law Enforcement, Biodiversity and Fisheries) that develop programs and projects, and three regions (eastern, southern and western) that implement these programs.
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