At the 2012 PA Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, Dr. Tyler Black was named the first recipient of the Dr. Robert J. Behnke Award for his professional work in the field of coldwater conservation.

The award is presented to a graduate of the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp or any other youth camp modeled after the Pennsylvania Camp, who has gone on to further the cause of coldwater conservation.

Tyler graduated from the Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp in 1999 and in 2002 served as a staff intern at the camp.  He has gone on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State in 2004, a Master of Science Degree from Tennessee Technological University in 2007 and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Tennessee Technological University in 2011. 

Tyler is currently working as an Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Eastern Region. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.  He specializes in crayfish, freshwater mussels and snails.

“I sincerely believe that Tyler has demonstrated precisely the attributes, qualities and achievements that the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp look for in their alumni,” said Rod Cross, Director of Camp Operations.  “I would like to add that Tyler is the example of youth conservation leadership that camp founders “Inky” Moore and Dr. Jack Beck had in mind when they started the camp in 1995.“

Robert J. Behnke, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of Fisheries Conservation and Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.  He is the author of more than two hundred articles and papers regarding fish and fisheries and has served on numerous advisory boards for state and federal agancies.

Bob is the author of two books, Trout and Salmon of North America (The Free Press, New York, 2002) and About Trout (The Lyons Press, Guilford, CT, 2007) as well as numerous technical publications and articles in magazines and periodicals.  Dr. Behnke has contributed the About Trout column to “Trout” magazine since 1983.

Dr. Behnke came to the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp in the camp’s second year, 1996, at the behest of camp founders Dr.  Jack Beck and Inky Moore to speak to the students as the camp’s keynote speaker.  His continued presence at the camp, providing his knowledge on trout biology and salmonids around the world provided the students with world class insight about trout and salmon.

To honor Dr. Behnke’s efforts at the Pennsylvania Camp and coldwater and salmonid conservation in general, the award will be presented annually to a graduate of the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp or any camp modeled after the Pennsylvania camp.

The recipient of the award must have gone on to higher education in Fisheries Biology, Icthyology, Limnology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Biology, the Natural Sciences or Science Education or worked in a volunteer capacity to benefit coldwater resources.  Tyler is originally from Roxbury, Pennsylvania and currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina.

For more information, visit the PA Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp website.

7/2/2012