Urban Fishing Program The 2008 Urban Fishing Program (UFP) is from            June 9 through July 25. UFP is an IDNR-sponsored, state-wide project geared toward teaching youngsters how to fish. The program offers free fishing clinics to show kids the basics and the opportunity to give fishing a try in a safe, supervised setting. Our members taught children between the ages of 5-12 how to bait hooks, throw the line, and handle fish correctly. The program also includes some informal instruction on the importance of responsible outdoor recreation. The SIUC Subunit has spearheaded the UFP in Carbondale for the past two years, and from 2005 through 2007 our members donated approximately 40 hours of volunteer service to the program per year.

This will be the fourth year the Subunit maintains a booth at the DuQuoin State Fair. The SIUC American Fisheries Society Subunit will be joining our Subunit in organizing and staffing the interactive booth featuring fisheries and aquaculture research at SIUC, and undergraduate and graduate programs of study. Posters representing aquaculture, aquatic ecology, fisheries management, fish genetics, and aquatic toxicology research projects within the Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center will be on display, as well as our usual aquarium housing representative aquaculture and native stream species from the region.

Annual AFS Meeting

 In August seven student members will be traveling to Ottawa, Ontario to participate in the Annual Meeting of the AFS parent society. Members will be not only giving presentations showcasing their research but also chairing symposia and moderating sessions as well. For more information on the Annual AFS Meeting please go to www.fisheries.org!

Return of Team Hog

In October, Team Hog will once again rally to roast a whole hog for the Annual Subunit Picnic. The potluck picnic will be held at Dr. Heist’s house and more details will be posted when they become available.