President’s Message – April 2020

Greetings Cal-Neva Members! Most of you are likely aware that as the spread of COVID-19 really began to take off in California last month, Cal-Neva leadership had no choice but to cancel the Chapter’s annual general meeting, which was to have taken place in Folsom, March 15-17, 2020. This newsletter is devoted to presentations that would have otherwise been made at the meeting, including Chapter awards and officer election results. In addition, we also have information about an upcoming opportunity for members to still give their scientific presentations intended for the Folsom meeting. So, read on and throughout to gain all the latest news from the Chapter!

Even though we are unable to meet face-to-face, the Chapter’s Executive Committee is still holding monthly conference calls and continues to conduct chapter business as usual. Among current business is review of applications received recently for small grants. The goal of the Chapter’s small grants program is to provide at least two research funding awards totaling $3,000 that further the mission of AFS and strategic objectives of the Cal-Neva Chapter. Stay tuned for announcement of grant award recipients in a future newsletter.

As I close out this message, I just want to give a shout-out once more to President-Elect Dave Lentz, Time-and-Place Chair Kelly Souza, and the entire planning team for the Folsom meeting for all their outstanding effort in planning, organizing, and nearly pulling off what would have been a really great chapter meeting. The spirit of this group of dedicated fisheries professionals never ceases to amaze me. Fear not, though, as wheels are already in motion for the 2021 meeting, which will likely be held in Ventura, CA sometime in the late February-early March time frame. Until then, stay safe, stay healthy, and work hard on behalf of the fish!

Rob Titus
Chapter President