News Release:
DC Former U.S. Fisheries Chief, Dr. Stuart Leon to Speak in Mountain Home Area on Hatchery Funding Issues
Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
Time: 5:pm
Place: Gaston’s Conference Center, Gaston’s Resort on River Road.
On March 31, 2012 Dr. Leon retired after 25 years of dedicated service to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife. As Chief of Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation one of Dr Leon’s duties also included matters of budget for our National Fish Hatchery System.
Everyone is encouraged to attend. Seating is first come, first serve, and is sure to be well attended.
For more information:
Contact: Teresa VanWinkle
Ph # (417)389-4908
Email: flyfishingdiva@yahoo.com
Contact: Mr. Jim Gaston
Ph# (870) 481-4202
Email:
Gastons@gastons.com
Bio:
Stuart Leon, Former Division Chief,
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Conservation
A native Kansan, Stuart attended the University of Kansas where he earned a B.S. in Systematics and Ecology as well as an M.A. in Systematics and Ecology with emphasis on Aquatic Ecology. His Master’s Study concentrated on the effects of commercial sand and gravel dredging on the fishery of the lower Kansas River. Other interests early on were in archaic fishes, including the evidence of shovelnose and pallid sturgeon hybridization. Following a short stint as a temporary Biological Aide with Kansas Fish and Game, Stuart entered the Doctoral program at Oklahoma State University, Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit. His doctoral research focused on habitat use by fishes in a new reservoir.
In 1987, Stuart found employment as a staff Fishery Biologist with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Southwest Regional Office. Among other duties Stuart served on the National Phase 1 Stripped Bass Data Committee. In 1988, Stuart went on to Alchesay National Fish Hatchery in Arizona where he filled the position Assistant Project Leader position for the Pinetop Fisheries Assistance Office. During this period, Stuart also was able to successfully defend his dissertation at OSU and received a Doctorate in Zoology. In early 1994, he assumed the responsibilities of Supervisor for the Arizona Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office with sub-offices in Flagstaff, Parker and San Carlos. Also in 1994, he served on a Service/White Mountain Apache Tribe Team that developed the first-ever Statement of Relationship between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a Native American Tribe.
In 1997, Stuart returned to Albuquerque, this time in Endangered Species, and became the Regional Recovery Coordinator. In 2003, he became the Chief of Endangered Species in the Southeast Region. In December 2005, Stuart became the Division Chief for the National Fish Hatchery System in Arlington, VA. Stuart and his staff worked to resolver Corp of Engineers Mitigation Funding for the National Fish Hatchery System, began the publication of “Eddies”, and initiated the National Fisheries Friends Partnership. On January 1, 2009, Stuart became the Division Chief for a unified Fisheries Program in the Washington Office.
Currently, on March 31, 2012 after 25 years of dedicated service, Stuart Leon retired to pursue an advocacy role for fresh water fisheries program nationally.