From left to right: CBFN Conservation Director David Santos,
Scholarship Recipient Joseph Cassone, and University of Connecticut
Assistant Professor Fisheries Jason Vokoun
The Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation Nation is proud to award our 1st
Conservation Scholarship to a student enrolled at the University of
Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. We were
looking to support the education of a student concentrating in
fisheries management at the University and awarded a $1,000
scholarship to a well deserving student.
Joseph Cassone from Branford, CT was the recipient. His interests
include freshwater and saltwater fishing. His outdoor activities
include camping, hiking, and mountain biking. He also likes track
and field, basketball, football, builds custom fishing rods, and is
a lobsterman in his spare time.
Joseph is a Junior majoring in Natural Resources with a
concentration in fisheries and wildlife conservation with a
cumulative GPA of 3.467
His awards and accomplishments include being on the Dean's List,
President of the UCONN American Fisheries Society sub unit, he
produces the AFS sub unit's newsletter, and is a recipient of the
UCONN Avery Book Award.
For summer employment he worked with the Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection as an Inland Fisheries Seasonal Technician.
In that position he was involved with electro fishing, creel
surveys, driving boats, navigation using topo maps, and assisted
with pike stocking, trout stocking, scale mounting, and otolith
removal.
His career goals are to become a Fisheries Biologist, Education, and
outdoor writing.
As you can see he is a fine young man. Very articulate and mature.
We are extremely proud to award this scholarship to Joseph.
Congratulations Joseph!
And, thanks to Sure-Life who made a matching donation, we have
$1,000 in our fund for next year.
David A. Santos
Conservation Director
CBFN
Invasive Species
1. Water chestnuts on the CT River - The CT DEP would like your
help in collecting and monitoring the spread of this EXTREMELY
INVASIVE AND HARMFUL PLANT. If you see what you think is chestnut,
try and collect it from the river, note the GPS location (if
possible) and call the DEP at (860) 424-3034. For more information
check out http://www.audubon-mas.org/pages/fwchstnt.htm
2. An invasive algae known as didymo has made it's way into
the Connecticut River in Vermont and New Hampshire, and it's
creeping south. DEP Inland Fisheries Director Bill Hyatt says,
“didymo or Didymosphenia geminata, is native to Northern Europe, but
it's been spreading over the last ten years. Typically it only likes
cold clear water but for some reason it's spreading to other
places," he said. Environmentalists say that this algae will
eventually get to Connecticut, but large bodies of water, like the
Connecticut River, aren't the biggest concern. The D.E.P. worries
about it being transported from the river into smaller streams and
lakes, where it can do the most harm. The only way to prevent it
from spreading is for boaters and anglers to check, clean and dry
their boats, waders and all fishing equipment. It only takes a small
amount of this algae to cause big problems.
If anyone comes in contact with these or any other Invasive Aquatic
Species please contact the CT DEP at 860-424-3474, or you can
contact me at 860-627-0834 (h)
860-869-7722 (c)
Warmest regards,
David A. Santos
Conservation Director
