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Konrad Flier editor



	FLIER NEWSLETTER   Volume 1 - Number 1   May/June 1998
	A Publication of the Native Fish Conservancy

			Konrad Schmidt, Editor
			1663 Iowa Ave. E.
			St. Paul, MN  55106

WHAT'S THIS?  The FLIER newsletter is a publication of the Native 
Fish Conservancy (NFC) which is a nonprofit organization dedicat
ed to the conservation, research, and education of primarily 
nongame fishes native to North America.  The aptly named flier 
(Centrarchus macropterus) has been chosen as the title for the 
NFC newsletter which will report on research studies, restoration 
projects, captive propagation, environmental issues, and NFC 
activities.  This first issue serves as an introduction to what 
NFC is all about and the organization's long term goals and 
objectives.  Please take a few moments to read our Mission State
ment, Frequently Asked Questions, and member benefits.  If you 
like what you see and want to join, please fill out the member
ship form and mail it in.  Special Introductory Offer:  Join the 
NFC now, add $2 for postage, and select one of the following 
prints by the Joe Tomelleri (a $25 value): paddlefish (Polyodon 
spathula), rosefin shiner (Lythrurus ardens), redbelly dace 
(Phoxinus eos or P. erythrogaster), longear sunfish (Lepomis 
megalotis), and redfin darter (Etheostoma whipplei).  Due to 
availability, please rank your top three choices.  Note: Addi
tional prints can be ordered for $10 each which includes postage. 
WHAT A DEAL!
  
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS - The NFC will regularly acknowledge 
individuals who have dedicated their lives to the study of native 
fishes and made remarkable contributions in information and 
conservation.  For their grand efforts, NFC has awarded lifetime 
memberships to the following fish fanciers: (1) George Becker - 
Fishes of Wisconsin. (2) Frank Cross - Fishes in Kansas,  (3) 
Dave Etnier - The Fishes of Tennessee.  (4) Larry Page - Handbook 
of Darters and the Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes.  
(5) William Pflieger - The Fishes of Missouri.  This award also 
includes a Joe Tomelleri print of their choice listed in the 
special introductory offer.  Congratulations gentlemen!  We all 
sincerely appreciate your tremendous achievements. 

WHAT A COINCIDENCE! - William Pflieger's long awaited revised 
edition of Fishes of Missouri is out and at a steal of a price.  
The softcover book contains 383 pages and costs only $15 plus $5 
for shipping and handling.  Mail orders: NATURE SHOP, Department 
of Conservation, P.O. Box 180,  Jefferson City, MO 65102.  Phone 
orders: (573) 751-4115 ext. 325

NOT BRAGGING...JUST FACT - Ray Katula (Genoa, WI) very likely 
holds the record for spawning native fishes in his basement 
aquariums and pools. During a marathon trip in November 1997 to 
Tennessee, he collected several new darters he had not tried 
before.  As of 1 May 1998, he has successfully spawned the fol
lowing species: sharpnose (Etheostoma acuticeps), emerald (E. 
baileyi), bluebreast (E. camurum), greenfin (E. chlorobranchium),  
and arrow (E. sagitta).  Ray's expertise is one example of a 
resource which NFC believes should be tapped to culture rare 
fishes for reintroduction to historic ranges. 

STORM CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON - The Flier will, on a regular basis, 
write editorials on topics which may be perceived as controver
sial.  There will be no exemptions afforded to any agency, pro
gram, or organization (including NFC).  The ultimate objective is 
to establish a forum for discussion to resolve conflicts which 
could impede conservation efforts or the recreational enjoyment 
of native fishes.  The first point of contention will be the 
NFC's fish sales program.  The Flier Editor personally has no 
objections to the sale of common native fishes to fund NFC 
projects and grants.  However, many biologists and professors 
view this practice as a "clear and present danger" of more range 
extensions and introductions of exotic species.  They also fear 
the commercial exploitation of even common fishes will result in 
extirpations, and possibly, extinction of some species.  I ap
plaud the NFC's thorough investigation of the laws governing 
these activities to assure compliance and policy banning aquarium 
releases.  However, I foresee a phobia mind set in almost every 
state and province in North America which will take years to 
address and there is no certainty to the outcome.  LET'S SAVOR 
THIS LULL BEFORE THE STORM!


                    NFC MISSION STATEMENT

The Native Fish Conservancy (NFC) was formed to operate as a non-
partisan, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization for the advancement 
of educational and scientific programs and initiatives concerning 
native fishes.  The NFC seeks funding from public and private 
sources and will responsibly distribute those funds to special 
projects that enhance public awareness, education, conservation 
and research concerning native fish species.  The NFC respects 
owners of private property and their rights.  The NFC seeks to 
establish cooperative projects with landowners that preserve 
property rights while supporting the implementation of greater 
conservation objectives.  The NFC will seek partnerships with 
government and private agencies to facilitate stream restoration 
and waterways cleanup.  The NFC supports domestic propagation of 
endangered, threatened and special concern species while comply
ing with all local, state and federal laws, rules and regula
tions.  The NFC supports recreational collecting, rearing and 
breeding of common native fishes.  The NFC encourages involvement 
from the greater public in regards to native fish and conserva
tion related issues.  Membership in the NFC will be open to all 
individuals concerned with the conservation, sport fishing, 
aquarium study, keeping, collecting or general welfare of native 
fish.

     ???  FREQUENTLY  ASKED  QUESTIONS  ABOUT  THE  NFC  ???
                    Robert Rice, NFC President

Q.  Why are NFC membership fees so low?
A.  Fees are not low because members receive little in products 
or services.  They are low because the entire staff is comprised 
of volunteers.  Furthermore, NFC's nonprofit status allows us to 
receive tax deductible contributions and also save on our publi
cations costs because we qualify for greatly reduced postage 
rates.  Local and national conservation projects receive approxi
mately 80% of all revenue generated from membership fees, contri
butions, fund raisers, and corporate sponsorships.  Finally, the 
more than reasonable membership rates are an incentive for people 
from all occupations and interests to join without fear of 
"sticker shock."  

Q.  What do the membership fees provide in services?
A.  NFC publications, website access, participation in regional 
activities, breeder awards program, purchasing donated items at 
great prices, and the satisfaction knowing many little known 
native fishes are finally getting some long overdue and needed 
attention and management.

Q.  Is the NFC an aquarium club?
A.  Aquarists are encouraged and welcomed to join, but the NFC is 
not an aquarium club.  To assure aquarists can continue collect
ing and keeping native fishes, aquatic habitats and water quality 
must be protected and managed.  This is a principal tenet of NFC, 
but another issue of concern is safeguarding the privileges of 
both recreational and scientific collectors.  This will be accom
plished by lobbying government agencies and legislators to amend 
or create new laws which currently apply solely to angling activ
ities. 

Q.  How and where does NFC distribute funding? 
A.  One half of the revenues generated will be spent on small 
projects around the country.  This includes regional activities, 
breeding projects, and stream clean up.  The remainder will be 
earmarked for land purchases which clearly benefit native fishes 
and their habitats.  NFC will also seek out partnerships with 
other agencies sharing common goals to maximize the effects of 
land purchases.

Q.  How does the NFC Breeders Club work?
A.  Conservation-minded aquarists willing to join a structured 
program which adheres to all to state and federal regulations are 
eligible to receive equipment grants which will help fund life 
history studies, develop culture techniques, and the results will 
be reported in NFC publications and posted on the website.  

Q.  How can I help?
A.  Take the time and effort to volunteer in a small or big way.  
Whether you pass out fliers and applications or get involved 
regionally or nationally - WE NEED YOU!  Simply send a note or 
resume to: Robert Rice, 2213 Prytania Circle Navarre FL 32566 or 
Email at: robertrice at juno_com. 

Q.  What does NFC offer the novice aquarist or biologist who is 
just getting started in breeding or study of native fishes? 
A.  The NFC WEBSITE <http://members.xoom.com/nativefishes> con
tains excellent introductory packets on information sources, 
collecting gear and methods, and  aquarium care and maintenance.  
The website also contains several comprehensive articles on a 
variety of topics.

Q.  Who is eligible for NFC grants?
A.  Any NFC member with a worthwhile project in mind is eligible.  
A project can be as simple as setting up an educational program 
at a local school or nature center.  Other excellent candidates 
can be an endangered species breeding program or a stream resto
ration project.

Q.  Are my contributions tax deductible?
A.  Yes, we are a nonprofit organization in Vermont and our 
501(c) status is pending with the IRS.  Any contributions above 
the membership dues are tax deductible.  Note: Please check with 
a tax consultant for details and required documentation. 


     DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NATIVE FISH CONSERVANCY 
     AND THE NORTH  AMERICAN NATIVE FISHES ASSOCIATION
          Dwight D. Moody, NFC Secretary/Treasurer

Flier Editor's Note:  This section was included because of sever
al inquiries received during the formation of the NFC.  The 
intent is NOT to criticize the North American Native Fishes 
Association (NANFA) which is an excellent organization, but their 
goals, objectives, purpose, and structure do contrast considera
bly from the NFC and this summary will hopefully clarify the 
boundaries between the two organizations.

NANFA is primarily a native fish hobbyist group, with some inter
est in selected conservation efforts.  The regular pilgrimages of 
Peter Unmack and associates to Ash Meadows is a good example, 
however, it should be noted that most, if not all, regional 
activities are funded by the Regional Coordinators and/or mem
bers, and are not financially supported by the NANFA Board of 
Directors (BOD).  The NFC, on the other hand, will funnel signif
icant funds to grassroots projects.  NFC, unlike NANFA, actively 
seeks partnering opportunities to achieve common goals.  The NFC 
will operate as a non-partisan, nonprofit, tax-exempt organiza
tion dedicated to conservation of native fish and their habitats 
on which they depend for survival.

NANFA's primary focus is on the hobbyist with a secondary focus 
on conservation, primarily one day Ash Meadows type projects.  
NFC, on the other hand, is more concerned with conservation 
initiatives involving land or easement acquisition, ecological 
research, etc., of which promotion of recreational collecting and 
keeping of native fish in aquariums is only a part, albeit an 
important one.

The other main difference which you might note from comparing the 
foundational documents of the two organizations is that NANFA is 
an organization centered on its BOD and, to a much lesser extent, 
its Regional Coordinators.  NFC, on the other hand, limits its 
Board of Trustees to high-level policy decisions and devolves 
responsibility and authority to the people doing the work of the 
NFC, at many levels.  To implement its extensive agenda, the NFC 
will need to do some serious fund raising and recruitment to meet 
its intended goal of 10,000 members by the year 2000.  I, for 
one, believe that the NFC will not only reach that goal, it will 
surpass it because the NFC is a "big tent" type of organization, 
with something for just about anyone interested in native fish, 
whether hobbyist, biologist, sport fisherman, etc.


                         MEMBER  BENEFITS

*  Bimonthly newsletter, the FLIER, contains information on NFC 
activities, conservation projects, research studies, environmen
tal issues; and also reports on membership activities involving 
collecting, breeding, and rearing native fishes.  

*  NFC grants program is available to all members for research, 
restoration, or any project benefiting or expanding our knowledge 
of native fishes.  This can include any project from a captive 
propagation study to land purchases which will protect aquatic 
habitats.  

*  NFC Website <members.xoom.com/nativefishes/> contains a large 
database of articles on native fishes and serves as an excellent 
source of information to both researchers and aquarists.   

*  NFC Email list <nfc at actwin_com> provides a forum to report and 
share information on native fishes and NFC activities and issues.   

*  Silent auctions and a regularly updated bulletin board allows 
members to trade or sell fish, plants, books, etc.  

*  Breeders club where members can earn breeding points and 
receive grants to help fund and document progress.

*  Regional chapters across the country sponsor collecting trips, 
help clean up streams, trade, or just get members acquainted with 
other conservation minded people.

               COUNT ME IN I WANT TO JOIN !!!!!!!!  
               NOTE: NFC is in the formative stages.  
               Memberships will begin September 1998
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
Detach and mail a check or a money order to NFC's membership director: 

Konrad Schmidt, 1663 Iowa Avenue East, St. Paul Minnesota 55106

NAME_____________________________________________________________

ADDRESS_________________________________________________________

CITY______________________________________________________________

STATE__________________________ ZIP_______________________________

PHONE__________________________ FAX_______________________________

EMAIL_____________________________________________________________

MEMBERSHIP RATES:
     STUDENT (grade school - college) - 5$   
     Note: Please include School Name and Student ID #
     Regular (US.) - $10 /Canada - $15/All Others - $20
     Corporation - $100 (Includes advertisement on NFC's Website)
     I'd like to give a tax deductible gift to NFC $________

I'm interested in volunteering _____ Locally _________ Nationally 
(check one) please contact me!


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