2025 Western Division and Colorado/Wyoming AFS Annual Meeting
Dates: May 11-15, 2025
Location: Westin Westminster in Westminster, Colorado
2025 Western Division and Colorado-Wyoming AFS Annual Meeting Continuing Education Courses
Continuing Education at a Glance
The Colorado-Wyoming Chapter and Western Division are proud to announce that there will be five Continuing Education course options at the 2025 meeting.
1. From Fish Collection to Data Analysis: Understanding what questions to ask, how to collect fish, and how to analyze fisheries data when monitoring fish populations
Tawni Firestone, Audrey Harris
Contact: [email protected]
Full Day 08:00-17:00
Before evaluating fish populations to monitor recruitment, survival, growth and habitat success, biologists must first learn proper techniques for capturing, marking, recording data, and analyzing the data. This full-day course equips new biologists and students with the knowledge and tools to develop management questions, how to select equipment to collect fish from streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, gather relevant data to answer their questions, and use R to download, analyze, and model population estimates.
2. Design, Construction, and Operation of PIT Tag Monitoring Systems
Warren Leach
Contact: [email protected]
Full Day 08:00-17:00
On completion of the course, participants will have a basic understanding of the fundamentals RFID technology for fish tracking using PIT telemetry and concepts in antenna design, both in theory and in practice. The course can be divided in four main subjects: 1) RFID for Fish and Wildlife Tracking; 2) Building a PIT tag monitoring system; 3) PIT telemetry for Fish Passage and 4) PIT tag antennas.
3. Community Engagement with Hands-On Fish Printing
Bruce Koike Little Pond Nature Prints
Contact: [email protected]
Two half-day sessions, 09:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00. Each session is limited to 12 individuals.
Participants will learn the Japanese art of fish printing (Gyotaku) through a hands-on approach. Each printer will contribute to highlighting Community Engagement strategies. All materials including fish will be provided.
4. Fighting the Cold- Adapting to the Evolving Threat of Bacterial Coldwater Disease in Fish Hatcheries
Cody, Tyler
Contact: [email protected]
Full Day 08:00-17:00
Bacterial coldwater disease (BCWD) is caused by a Gram-negative bacterium, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, and occurs in temperate regions around the world affecting almost all salmonids to some degree. In hatchery settings, due to the nature of the bacterium, this disease can cause serious fish health concerns with high levels of mortality and fish loss. The goal of this course is to create a better understanding of the disease for fish culturists and fishery managers. Breaking down the history of the disease, leading circumstances and trends to when BCWD outbreaks occur, implications of the disease, analysis and inspection, prophylactic and therapeutic treatment methods, levels of resistance and disease implications. Leading to other topics on the disease like financial impacts, and western U.S. state differences in how the disease is managed. Changes in management practices and facility upgrades that allow for better management control of the disease. We will also go over finding a middle ground between hatcheries and aquatic managers. In order to find fish that hatcheries can raise with levels of BCWD resistance, and strains that aquatic managers desire in their fisheries. Lastly, we will finish with current and ongoing research on the disease.
5. Succeed in fisheries: Navigate an Uncertain Future and Adapt to Challenges Through Strategic Positioning
Marlis R Douglas
Contact: [email protected]
Half Day 08:00-12:00
WHY: The future is uncertain and cannot be predicted. But future outcomes can be shaped through Strategic Positioning, a 2-step process. First, Futurecasting helps identify strategic goals that guide decisions. Second, Adaptive Planning ensures actions progress toward these goals, while adjusting to unforeseen challenges. Combined, these two processes ensure long-term success in fisheries – and life. AFS has adopted Futurecasting and Adaptive Planning to strategically position AFS for future success. By coordinating unit activities at all levels with the long-term vision, AFS improves communication and helps all members lead and succeed.
WHAT: This 4-hr workshop starts with a short introduction to Futurecasting. Participants will then practice Futurecasting in small break-out groups to (1) create strategic goals that align with the long-term AFS vision, (2) identify resources needed to build that future, and (3) formulate an action plan to implement this future. Ideas from each group will be discussed to identify potential challenges and how to use adaptive planning to succeed.
WHO: WDAFS members at any career stage, from students to chapter officers, are invited. Current and emerging unit leaders are particularly encouraged to participate to encourage Futurecasting and Adaptive Planning adoption at all AFS levels. The workshop is organized by the AFS Strategic Positioning Committee to introduce Futurecasting and Adaptive Planning throughout AFS.
HOW: The workshop is based on active-learning principles, with participants absorbing preparatory materials pre-workshop (~1 h), minimizing lecture time. Emphasis is on experiential learning during small-group activities, followed by whole-group interactive discussions to share and synthesize ideas.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Participants will learn how to (1) develop long-term strategic thinking to set themselves up for future success, (2) adaptively plan to deal with uncertainty, (3) confidently articulate ideas, and (4) effectively communicate visionary goals and strategic actions.”