Conservation Summit tackles angler issues

The 2012 Bassmaster Classic is merely weeks away, and the conservation directors in the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation are looking forward to the 2012 Conservation Summit, held in conjunction with the Classic.

“I’m very excited about what promises to be one of the most outstanding Conservation Summits so far,” said Noreen Clough, national conservation director for B.A.S.S. “The guest speakers are all notables, and the agenda is chock-full of topics of high interest to our Federation Nation conservation directors as well as the State Fish Chiefs who will also be attending.”

Taking place from Feb. 23-26 at the Clarion Hotel in Shreveport, La., the Conservation Summit will host discussions and lectures centered on the hottest conservation topics of the day.

“The conservation directors collectively provided input to the agenda to ensure it will serve their day-to-day needs,” added Clough. “We’re particularly looking forward to discussions regarding issues in black bass management, as well as what’s new in aquatic vegetation management.”

Here is a list of what’s coming to Conservation Summit. B.A.S.S. reporters will keep fans updated on what comes out of the summit.

• National Fish Habitat Partnership (Chris Horton, National Assembly of State Caucuses; Jeff Boxrucker, National Fish Habitat Partnership)
• National and State Legislative Updates (Gordon Robertson, American Sportfishing Association; Chris Horton, National Assembly of State Caucuses)
• Working with your Legislators, Getting Politically Involved (Gordon Robertson, American Sportfishing Association; Chris Horton, National Assembly of State Caucuses)
• News in Aquatic Vegetation Management (Mike Netherland; Dr. Susan Wilde, University of Georgia; Dr. Mike Allen, University of Florida)
• Pathways to Opportunity: From Whence We Came (B.A.S.S. Conservation Directors, including Jim Howard, Alabama, and Noreen Clough)
• Defining Issues, Sharing Experiences and Mapping the Pathway (B.A.S.S. Conservation Directors)
• Fisheries Management Workshop (Dr. Mike Allen, University of Florida; Gene Gilliland, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; Noreen Clough)
• State Perspectives (State Fish Chiefs panel)
• Federal Update: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Program, Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (USFWS representative)