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Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited To conserve, protect and restore coldwater fisheries CORNELIUS M. SCHREMS SCHOLARSHIP - PAST WINNERS This is awarded to a current Michigan State University student of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife who works toward the mission of SWMTU. This scholarship, and its intention, was founded by Sis Schrems in memory of her husband. 1987-Robin Ziegler 1988-John Kocik 1989-Shari Dann 1990-Steve Marod 1991-Melisa Drake 1992-Edward A. Baker 1993-C. Paola Ferreri 1994-Tammy Newcomb 1995-Jeff Rupert 1996-Kristi Klomp 1997-Amy Nevela 1998-Kurt Newman 1999-Jessica Mistak 2000-JoAnna Lessard 2001-Brad Thompson 2002-Bryan Burroughs 2003-Tammy DeBaar 2004-Katrina Mueller 2005-Jon Hansen 2006-Sarah Hughes 2007-Kristine Bole-Morse 2008-Karyann Waco   John Kocik 1988 John F. Kocik has worked for NOAA- National Marine Fisheries Service since graduating from Michigan State University. He has been involved in conservation of anadromous salmonids for his entire career. He co-authored the Status Review of Anadromous Atlantic Salmon in the United States, testifying and providing data to the National Academies of Science in their review of the biodiversity of US Atlantic salmon and actions to conserve them. From Maine, he leads a 12-person team based in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that assesses population status and effectiveness of recovery efforts of the last wild Atlantic salmon populations in the US with an emphasis on estuary and marine environments. Receiving the Schrem's Grant in 1988 was important to my ongoing research not only fiscally but motivationally. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the work that you are doing and the importance of science in its own right. However, as fishery scientists it is important to work with and interact with the public. The support of conservation groups in these efforts reminds you that people do care about what you do. At a time when I was transitioning between two projects, the grant was important for providing me with acknowledgment, support, and encouragement as I tackled a new project.   Shari Dann 1989 Shari is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife I am currently employed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in Little Falls as a Fisheries Specialist. While this area is dominated by lakes and warmwater streams (tributaries to the Mississippi River), we do have three coldwater streams managed for trout. Two of the streams are small and support natural brook trout populations. The third stream, Little Rock Creek, is larger and is dependent on stocking of brown trout to maintain a fishable population. Limited natural reproduction does occur. I am currently working with county SWCD offices, the Minnesota PCA, and the St. Cloud Chapter of T.U. to improve best management practices in the Little Rock Creek watershed to improve water quality in the stream. Plans to improve in-stream habitat to increase carrying capacity and natural reproduction are planned. The Schrem's Coldwater Fishery scholarship helped me to fund my education and research at MSU. That education has enabled me to work with local groups and county governments to improve habitat and trout populations on our area coldwater streams.   Steve Marod 1990 I am currently employed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in Little Falls as a Fisheries Specialist. While this area is dominated by lakes and warmwater streams (tributaries to the Mississippi River), we do have three coldwater streams managed for trout. Two of the streams are small and support natural brook trout populations. The third stream, Little Rock Creek, is larger and is dependent on stocking of brown trout to maintain a fishable population. Limited natural reproduction does occur. I am currently working with county SWCD offices, the Minnesota PCA, and the St. Cloud Chapter of T.U. to improve best management practices in the Little Rock Creek watershed to improve water quality in the stream. Plans to improve in-stream habitat to increase carrying capacity and natural reproduction are planned. The Schrem's Coldwater Fishery scholarship helped me to fund my education and research at MSU. That education has enabled me to work with local groups and county governments to improve habitat and trout populations on our area coldwater streams.   Melissa Drake 1991 Missy is a research biologist with the Minnesota DNR   Ed Baker 1992 I'm currently a Fisheries Research Biologist for the Michigan DNR, working in Marquette, MI. I'm currently working on a variety of research projects including coaster brook trout research in the Lake Superior watershed. Research is directed at learning about the basic ecology of a remaining wild coaster population and the success of coaster reintroduction efforts. The scholarship helped me complete my grad research in Hunt Creek-effects of dewatering on the Hunt Creek brook trout population   C. Paola Ferreri 1993 Paola is an Associate Professor of Fisheries at Pennsylvania State University.   Tammy Newcomb 1994 Tammy is currently the Lake Huron Basin Coordinator for the Fisheries Division, Michigan DNR   Jeff Rupert 1995 Jeff is Executive Assistant for the United States Capitol Police Board.   Kristi Klomp 1996 Kristi is a Ph.D. student in the Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife   Kurt Newman 1998 Kurt is the Lake Erie Basin Coordinator for the Fisheries Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources.   Jessica Mistak 1999 Jessica Mistak is a Senior Fisheries Biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in Marquette, where she is responsible for initiatives concerning conservation, protection, and management of aquatic habitat. Jessica’s work involves providing technical, legal, and policy assistance to the Department on a variety of aquatic habitat related issues, including dam removal, fish passage, and participation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula hydropower licensing proceedings under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). She is also the current President of the Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and one of twenty fellows selected to participate in the Environmental Leadership Program. The scholarship was a tremendous asset to me while at Michigan State University studying the effects of Stronach Dam removal. Being selected to receive the scholarship and sit in the company of such coldwater conservation legends such as Sis Schrems, Bud Kanouse, and Howard Tanner was one of my greatest honors.   JoAnna Lessard 2000 I am currently in my last semster of my Ph.D. program in the Entomology department at MSU. I have been studying the influence of marine-derived nutrients from spawning salmon on aquatic insect communities in Southeast Alaskan streams. This research will help us to better understand the role that these nutrient subsidies from salmon play in stream productivity in the Pacific Northwest a region where salmon population are in severe decline. The Schrem's award was a great honor for me to recieve. The support of Sis Schrem's for young scientists not only helped financially but it also provided an opportunity to see the social linkages of our work and how invested groups like trout unlimited are in the preservation of aquatic ecosystems.   Brad Thompson 2001 Brad recently finished his Ph.D. and is now working for the Washington Department of Game and Fish in Olympia, WA on salmonid conservation.   Bryan Burroughs 2002 Bryan is continuing with his research on the Stronach Dam Removal Project while pursuing a Ph.D. at M.S.U. His research is directly applicable to improving trout habitat here in Michigan, but is also novel enough to improve the science of dam removal across the country. Having gotten to meet Sis, I am truly privileged and honored to have been given an award with her and Corny’s name on it. Their name is synonymous with a pure love for, and dedication to protecting our coldwater resources. Receiving the award was an honor and financial blessing, but getting to meet Sis was the real honor. She was a remarkable lady. I dedicated my thesis in her memory.   Tammy DeBaar 2003 I am currently finishing my degree. I have one more class and then my research to go. My degree incorporates Museum Science and Natural Resources Interpretation, Fisheries and Wildlife, and Agriscience Education. I am currently designing my program and project. I look forward to providing educators with information and activities to teach some of these topics in an Experiential way, getting the students involved an immersed in real life science. I continue to work with students in the area of Coldwater fisheries. I am working more on groundwater, fish biology and habitant, and have also included more work with students in the secondary grades. I have attended the Great Lakes Fisheries Leadership Institute and partner with the Isaak Walton League, 4H, Annis Water Resources Institute, West Michigan Environmental Action Council and the Grand River watershed council. I am especially grateful for the scholarship, especially because my daughter is graduating from high school this year and I need to help her with college. As a matter of fact, this scholarship allowed me to attend classes full time and I would not have been able to attend at all fall semester. These classes were limited offerings and if I did not receive this scholarship this would have dragged out my schoolwork for another two years, minimum.   Katrina Mueller 2004 Katrina Mueller received the Cornelius M. Schrems Scholarship as she was finishing up as a Masters student in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at MSU in 2004. Since then, she has continued her graduate studies at MSU under the direction of Dr. William Taylor and is currently working on a PhD project in cooperation with Dr. John Kocik (also a former Schrems scholar recipient) and NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service. Since her arrival at MSU in 2002, her research and course work has focused primarily on connections between human social networks, salmonids and aquatic ecosystems. The idea that social networks influence how humans interact with their environment is relatively new to the field of fisheries management and an exciting area of growth. Her current research continues on this trajectory, focusing on human social networks in Maine and the structuring of opportunities stewardship and participation in Atlantic salmon recovery around network-based foci at the watershed-level.   Jon Hansen 2005 I am continuing to work on my Masters degree here in MSU's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. My research is focused on the effects of dam removals on water resources, particularly trying to understand long-term implications of dam removal. I have been fortunate to be part of the long-term Stronach Dam Removal Project which has documented significant improvements in trout densities and habitat in the Pine River. By understanding the long-term effects of dam removals, we can make responsible decisions to further our restoration goals. I hope my research is meaningful for stream conservation and restoration, especially our unique suite of coldwater resources. The Schrem's scholarship was greatly appreciated, and has been an incredible asset in conducting my research. In addition to the financial award, the commitment shown by the group is uplifting to someone launching into a career in fisheries conservation. I look forward to working alongside such effective and responsible groups as the Schrem's Chapter as they are truly a testament to the vision of their founders. Sarah Hughes 2006 Description is missing.   Kristine Bole-Morse 2007 Kristine is a non-traditional student who in addition to her studies has a husband and a two-year-old son named Remee, and she works full time at the Calhoun Conservation District as the Battle Creek River Watershed Coordinator. As Watershed Coordinator, Kristie has been involved in two dam removals, a stream restoration project utilizing natural channel design and several other projects. Kristine has served as a counselor and presenter for the Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited Youth River Conservation and Fishing Camp.   Kerryann Waco 2008 Kerry is originally from Chicago, Illinois. After receiving her bachelor's degree from Beloit College, she moved to Alaska to work as an groundfish and marine mammal observer in the North Pacific, serving on the front lines of resource management by collecting high quality data for the National Marine Fisheries Service. It was an opportunity to be apart of perhaps the best managed fisheries in the world, facilitated contact with a variety of state, government and private agencies, and allowed for enhancement of data collection skills. In 1999, she joined the Peace Corps and served in Zambia, Africa as an Aquaculture Extension Agent in Isoka District, Kaumba Village for two years. After fulfilling her commitment to the Peace Corps she returned to Alaska to continue to pursue her interests in fish, fisheries and resource management. She secured a job as a marine biologist with NOAA Fisheries Alaska Groundfish Observer Program's. This opportunity allowed her the opportunity to promote outreach with industry members, provide field support to observers in the various ports in Alaska, improve sampling methods on a variety of vessels, and participate in various research cruises. After serving four great years with the National Marine Fisheries service, she decided to enhance her career academically. She was drawn to Michigan State University because it presented multiple opportunities for research in addition to a great network for information and support in addition to the many accomplishments by and experience of the staff of the Fisheries and Wildlife department. She believes that people have the most profound effect on the environment and her studies will be guided toward examining this ideal as it relates to our valued freshwater fish and aquatic resources. Under Dr. Taylor's tuteluge, she has proposed to examine influence of groundwater extraction on available brook trout thermal habitat in Twin Creek, a coldwater stream in Central Michigan. This study will hopefully emphasize the importance of the connection between groundwater and surface water systems as it relates to temperature and trout population health as well as examine the degree to which humans impact aquatic resources in coldwater streams in Michigan.