2009 NANFA Convention

October 1-4

Tampa, Florida

The Central Florida Regional NANFA Chapter cordially invites you to attend the 2009 NANFA Convention to be held in sunny Tampa, Florida. NANFA is composed of a group of native fish enthusiasts from many different backgrounds and interests, including academia, school teachers, professional and amateur naturalists, government personnel, aquarium hobbyists, fishermen and most anyone with an interest in the study and preservation of our wonderful North American native fish fauna.

With the diverse landscape and varied ecosystems, including a variety of streams, rivers, wetlands, springs, swamps, lakes, estuaries and bays, Florida is a great place to find and appreciate a variety of native fishes. We hope that you will join us for what promises to be an interesting, educational, fun, and well-attended convention. This will also be a great convention to bring along the family, since there is plenty to do in the Tampa Bay area and throughout the central Florida region.

Hotel

This year.s convention will be held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center located in northeast Tampa. The Clarion Hotel is conveniently located within minutes of I-75 and the Tampa International Airport. The Hotel has offered the special room rate of $69.00/night for Convention attendees (approx. $77/night with taxes). This will include either a single King size bed, or two double beds for those who wish to share a room. The room rate includes a complimentary hot breakfast buffet served daily each morning. For other hotel amenities (including the kid.s pirate water park!), click on this link www.TampaClarion.com

Clarion Hotel and Conference Center

2701 E. Fowler Avenue

Tampa, FL 33612

813-971-4710

Driving Directions - From I-75 and points north: Merge onto I-275 south via Exit 274 toward Tampa. Travel approximately 9.5 miles and Exit at Fowler Avenue (Exit 51). Head East on Fowler Avenue approximately 2 miles and the Clarion Hotel will be on your right (south side of the road across from University Mall).

Driving Directions . From Tampa International Airport: Take the Airport Exit and follow the signs to get on I-275 Northbound. Take I-275 north approximately 11 miles and Exit at Fowler Avenue (Exit 51). Head East on Fowler Avenue approximately 2 miles and the Clarion Hotel will be on your right (south side of the road across from University Mall).

Convention Registration

Registration cost is $65.00, which includes attendance at presentations, field trips (small transportation charge may apply), banquet, auction and other convention activities. Late registration (after September 1) will be $75.00, so be sure to reserve early! Spouse and student registration is $50.00. Make checks payable to NANFA and send to: NANFA P.O. Box 1596 Milton, WA 98354-1596.

Click here to Register via PayPal

Convention Schedule

Thursday, October 1

12:00 Noon - 5:00pm: Onsite Registration and Check-in (local collecting on your own - for those interested we will provide maps and location information)

5:00pm - 7:00pm: Dinner on your own

7:00pm - 10:00pm: Socializing in Hospitality Suite

Friday, October 2

9:00am - 5:00pm: Presentations (topics to be announced)

5:00pm - 7:00pm: Dinner on your own

7:00pm - 8:00pm: Culturing Live Foods Workshop

8:00pm - 10:00pm: Socializing in Hospitality Suite

Saturday, October 3

9:00am - 3:00pm: Local Field Trips

  • Hillsborough River
  • Myakka River
  • Tampa Bay
  • Bullfrog Creek and Alafia River

5:00pm - 6:00pm: Aquarium Photography Workshop

6:00pm - 7:30pm: Dinner Banquet and Announcements

7:30pm - 8:00pm: Presentation (to be announced)

8:00pm - 9:30pm: Auction

9:30pm - 11:00pm: Socializing in Hospitality Suite

Sunday, October 4

8:00am: Depart for Field Trips

  • Santa Fe River
  • Ocala National Forest
  • Avon Park . Highlands County
  • Wacissa Springs . Big Bend Area

Speakers and Workshops

In consideration that this will be the first NANFA Convention held in the state of Florida, we will be highlighting Florida.s native fishes by inviting guest speakers that are either from our state or who will focus their presentation on Florida native fishes. With that said, we will also strive to provide a well-rounded and diverse mix of guest speakers, with representation by Academia as well as hobbyist-oriented presenters. We will also be offering some hands-on and educational workshops for the convention attendees.

Banquet

In accordance with tradition, we will plan to have a Saturday evening Banquet for the attendees. The banquet will serve as an excellent opportunity for fellow NANFA members to chat and mingle as a prelude to the BOD announcements and auction. In order to inject some local culture and flavor . Tampa has a very strong Latin presence and has a long history of Cuban and Spanish influence - the Banquet will feature a buffet of Latin and Spanish dishes such as Ybor City Spanish Mojo Pork, Chicken Fricassee and Caribbean Jerk Mahi Mahi with Lime, Papaya & Mango. Of course, the buffet will include salad, potatoes, vegetables, dessert and tea & coffee.

Auction

Also in accordance with the NANFA Convention standard, there will be a Saturday evening Auction following the Dinner Banquet and presentation. Auction items are acquired primarily through donations from NANFA members, vendors and businesses. There will be many unique and interesting items, such as collecting equipment, artwork, live foods, books and other surprises.

Collecting Trips

Local native fish collecting trips are the highlight of any NANFA Convention. With a Florida convention, this will certainly be the case. We have a number of fish collecting opportunities within an easy drive of Tampa, and we will be taking these .local. excursions on Saturday so that everyone has plenty of time to get back to the hotel with their catch and clean up in time for the Saturday evening festivities. We will have aquaria (with established filters) available to house collected specimens following the Saturday field trips.

Our field trips scheduled for Sunday will include more remote locations, generally beyond a two hour drive from the hotel. So for those who will be driving to the Convention, you can get a head start on your trip back north and get a day of collecting in as well. For those who haven.t had enough adventure by Sunday afternoon, Casper Cox will be hosting a Sunday through Wednesday excursion to the FSU Marine Lab in the town of Carrabelle near the Tates Hell State Forest and the Apalachicola National Forest in the eastern Florida panhandle. This will be a limited space trip, so make sure you reserve your space early with Casper. Prizma@aol.com

All field trips will have a limited capacity and will be on a first come, first served basis. Sign up sheets will be posted on Friday, so folks have time to study the different trip choices and pick up maps and information specific to each trip. Alternately, you can reserve your space early . contact Brian Skidmore (contact info. below) with your 1st, 2nd and 3rd field trip preference. Follow this link, http://mtfb.com/nanfa to see a description of each area and an example of what fishes you are likely to encounter at each of the selected trip destinations.

  • Hillsborough River
  • Myakka River
  • Tampa Bay
  • Alafia River/Bullfrog Creek
  • Santa Fe River
  • Ocala National Forest
  • Avon Park
  • Wacissa Springs
  • Carrabelle/Apalachicola

If you intend to collect fishes during the field trips, you will need to obtain a Florida fishing license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). These can be obtained from any local WalMart, sporting goods store, or by purchasing online from the FWC website at:

https://www3.wildlifelicense.com/fl/start.php

To view the FWC fishing regulations and details regarding available license types and fees go to:

http://myfwc.com/License/LicPermit_RecreationalHF.htm#FWF

Convention T-Shirts

We are planning to have special edition NANFA 2009 Convention T-Shirts available for all attendees. Cost will be $20.00 for sizes M, L and XL, and $25.00 for XXL & XXXL. Limited quantities. The T-Shirt design and ordering information will be posted soon.

Other Stuff.

In addition to the standard NANFA Convention itinerary, we are planning to add some .extras. to the 2009 Convention, including:

  • Hospitality Room (Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings)
  • Special Vendors & onsite sales during convention
  • Florida Native Fishes Aquarium Display
  • Artwork raffle and silent auction
  • Tours of local attractions (Florida Aquarium, MOSI, Lowry Park Zoo, etc.)

For additional information, or if you have questions about the convention, you may contact:

Brian K. Skidmore
Convention Chair
813-493-0663
ichthyskid@aol.com
11915 Sugar Tree Drive
Tampa, FL 33625

Charles A. Nunziata
Auction Donations & Advertisement
727-393-3757
epiplaty@tampabay.rr.com
6530 Burning Tree Drive
Seminole, FL 33777-4615

Website Links of Interest

Tampa Visitors Bureau www.visittampabay.com

Florida Aquarium www.flaquarium.org

Busch Gardens www.buschgardens.com/bgt2/

Lowry Park Zoo www.lowryparkzoo.com

MOSI www.mosi.org

Suncoast Killifish Society www.aka.org/sks/