2001 NANFA Convention, Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

Updated August 11, 2001. See the convention itinerary HERE

Top 10 Reasons Why You Don't Want to Miss the 2001 NANFA Convention in Hocking Hills, Ohio, August 24-26, 2001
(not necessarily in order!)

10. It's in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
What better place to enjoy nature than in a natural setting?

This year's meeting will be held at Hocking Hills State Park near Logan, Ohio (about 1-½ hrs. southeast of Columbus), in an area noted for its rocky cliffs, hemlock-shaded gorges, and scenic drives.

Hocking Hills, Ohio-- site of the 2001 NANFA Convention. Jay DeLong photo
Hocking Hills State Park, site of the 2001 NANFA Convention.  Read this page to find out about fees, accomodations, agenda and more!

9. It's our most affordable meeting ever.

The registration fee is just $65. Spouses and significant others can attend for just $55. This fee includes a Saturday buffet banquet. Additional savings can be had by staying at a Hocking Hills State Park cottage. The cost per cottage is $89.80/night. (A one-night stay is $112.25.) Each cottage sleeps up to six people and the cost can be split six ways. So, for example, a 3-night stay at Hocking Hills State Park (not including registration fee) could cost each attendee as little as $44.95. What a bargain!

Each air-conditioned cottage has two bedrooms (one with two twin beds, one with a double bed), bath with shower, living room with trundle sofa, complete kitchen, dining area and screened porch. Also included are microwave, kitchen utensils, television, blankets, dishes, bed linens, toaster, 12 cup electric coffee maker, two courtesy bars of soap, and a set of six towels and washcloths. Outdoor grills are provided for each cottage; you provide tile charcoal. Pets are not permitted. Are you a camper? Camping facilities are provided. Call 1-800-282-7275 for more details. Or visit http://www.hockinghillspark.com.

Bring your own food and save even more! Prepare it in your cottage's kitchen or out on the grill. As mentioned above, the Saturday banquet is included in the registration fee. Munchies and drinks during the talks will also be provided. Other meals can be bought at the State Park restaurant (very good prices) or in the nearby town of Logan.

YOU MUST RESERVE YOUR COTTAGE NOW! Hocking Hills State Park is very popular and the cottages fill quickly. We strongly urge that you reserve the cottage now! Perhaps your NANFA region would like to share the cost of the cottage and stay together. The time to start making arrangements is now! Call 1-800-282-7275.

In addition to the cottages, the Hocking Hills area has lots of other lodging choices, from inexpensive motels to romantic B&B's. Call 1-800-HOCKING to request a free Visitor's Guide. Or visit http://www.hockinghills.com.

 

Hocking Hills, Ohio-- site of the 2001 NANFA Convention. Jay DeLong photo
The beauty of Hocking Hills State Park has to be seen to be appreciated!   Read on to find out how you and your family can attend the 2001 NANFA Convention in this beautiful setting!

8. There's an impressive array of speakers and topics:
Mac Albin, Franklin County Metroparks Aquatic Ecologist, "Fishes of  Big and Little Darby Creek"

Mark Smith, Ohio NANFA, "Breeding Native Brook Trout in The Home Aquarium"

Pat Quackenbush, Hocking Hills State Park Naturalist, "Aquatic Life/flora/fauna of The Hocking Hills Gorges"

Nick Zarlinga, Cleveland Metro parks ZOO Aquatics, "Creating Realistic and Natural Habitats in the Aquarium for Native Fishes"

Matt White, Ohio University, Athens, "Game Fish are Natives, Too!"

Ken Wintin, Arizona Desert Museum, "Conservation and Breeding efforts of Endangered Desert Fishes"

Mike Fremont, Rivers Unlimited, "Economic Impacts of a Clean River/Dam Removal/Muskingum River"

Randy Sanders, Ohio Department Of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, "Stream protection and Restoration Efforts in Ohio"

Robert S. Carillio, Ohio NANFA, "Realistic Lighting to Enhance Your Aquarium Habitat and Fishes"

Roger Thoma, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, "Fishes of The Lake Erie Shoreline and Wetlands"

Robert Davic, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, "The Mahoning River: Past, Present, and Future: Place of pioneering fish study"

7. Learn how to create life-like, museum-grade habitats for your home aquariums.
No more sticking those ugly pictures on the backs of your tanks! Nick Zarlinga, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo aquarist, will show you how to duplicate mud river banks, root wads, and overhanging river banks in your home aquaria. This unique and artistic presentation is not to be missed!  Rob Carillio will demonstrate affordable lighting alternatives to enhance the appearance of native fish aquaria while maintaining a life-like look.

6. There will be several field trips to choose from.
Sites are still being scouted, but the main collecting trip will be to Salt Creek, a tributary of the Scioto River in nearby Vinton County. Here, ODNR biologist Randy Sanders will demonstrate electroshocking techniques (be sure to bring rubber waders!). Over 40 fish species live in this creek! (You won't be able to take fish home, however.)

For another trip, Mark Smith has agreed to lead a trip to Fairfield County (about 30 min. from Hocking Hills) to collect in a small, clean, privately owned creek that contains various darter and dace species.

Southern Redbelly Dace, copyright William Roston
Southern redbelly dace, a native fish of the Hocking Hills area that you can expect to see during the NANFA Convention.  (Photo © William Roston; used with permission)

5. View aquarium set-ups from various regions.
Attendees are invited to bring fishes from home and show them off. Bring your own aquariums (no larger than 20 gallons) and stands. You'll also get to see Rob Carillio's amazing, one-of-a-kind "water shed" exhibit.

4. Enjoy a keg of locally brewed beer.
What's a native fish meeting without libations? Enjoy some from the Buckeye Brewing Company.

3. Take home ridiculously underpriced items at the fabulous NANFA auction.
Books. Artwork. Apparel. Aquarium supplies. Nets and traps. You name it, it's up for bid. If you have any unwanted books or aquarium-related items, bring them with you and donate them to the auction. Proceeds help fund NANFA's conservation and education grant programs.

2. There's plenty to do for the entire family.
While you're attending the talks, your family can be enjoying the surrounding area. The park has a public swimming pool, playground, volleyball, horseshoes, and a lake for fishing. The Hocking Hills area has plenty of hiking, nature walks, canoeing, horseback riding, and more. Call 1-800-HOCKING to request a free Visitor's Guide. Or visit http://www.hockinghills.com.

1. Meet people who are just as nuts about native fishes as you are.
One the best features of any NANFA convention is the chance to hang out and talk fish with fellow native fish enthusiasts. You're guaranteed to make new friends. And, of course, catch up with old ones.

Call 1-800-282-7275 to reserve your cottage now! DON'T PUT THIS OFF. THESE COTTAGES GO QUICKLY.

Send registration fees, no later than August 18, to:
NANFA
1107 Argonne Dr.,
Baltimore, MD 21218

Late registrations can pay at the door. However, we need to know you're coming in order to tell the Saturday banquet chefs how much food to make!

Mark your calendar for August 24-26, and we'll see you in Ohio!

Hocking Hills, Ohio-- site of the 2001 NANFA Convention. Jay DeLong photo
This placid stream only hints at the forces that eroded the nonglaciated bedrock of the Hocking Hills area. You are invited to join fellow native fish enthusiasts and learn about the unique natural history of the area. 

Add Reason #11!  This excellent new book can be yours simply by registering for the convention!

Receive a FREE copy of the wonderful book A GUIDE TO OHIO STREAMS.

Thanks to the book's author, Ohio DNR biologist Randy Sanders, every paid convention attendee will receive a free copy of this book -- which is not available for sale anywhere. You can't buy it on amazon.com. You can only get it from the author...and at the NANFA 2001 Convention.

A GUIDE TO OHIO STREAMS offers a comprehensive look at the geology, ecology, value and uses of more than 60,000 miles of Ohio's flowing waterways. It's 120 pages long and in full color, literally bursting with photos and artwork, including photos or illustrations of virtually every Ohio stream fish, plus many invertebrates and amphibians.

The book was published by the Ohio Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (OCAFS) in partnership with ODNR, the Ohio Environmental Education Fund, and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA). Funding for the project was provided by a grant from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund and cooperating partners.

"This guide culminates a six-year effort that involved input from many people within the ODNR as well as the Ohio EPA, other public agencies, universities and private groups," said Randy Sanders, who will be speaking at the NANFA Convention and leading the main field trip. "With 10 chapters and more than 230 wildlife illustrations, 60 photographs of Ohio streams and 40 maps, it will significantly help streamside landowners and others better understand and appreciate Ohio streams."

The book contains chapters on stream ecology, geography and geology, habitat quality, water quality and pollution control, wildlife diversity, recreation, stream laws, and protection and restoration strategies. Also included in the guide is a timeline and detailed descriptions of Ohio's major watersheds.

Updated August 11, 2001. See the convention itinerary HERE

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