Washington–British Columbia Chapter of AFS

Larry Dominguez, our new chapter President

Greetings Washington – British Columbia Chapter members.   I am writing this from an Ottawa, Ontario hotel room, winding up my participation at the 138th Annual AFS Parent Society Meeting.  I am looking for a theme to introduce myself and provide some updates and vision about the Chapter.  I look over at the countertop and all those Canadian coins I’ve emptied out of my pocket and it dawns on me that there is a lot of change, large and small, going on now – for all of us.  

First, it is an honor and humbling privilege to be serving as your leader for the next year.  Six months ago, I was brought on as a salmon and aquatic ecologist to an environmental consulting team ENTRIX, Inc.  I am located in Olympia, WA and am part of the Pacific Northwest Ecologist Group that focuses on projects in the Western US including Hawaii and Alaska.  Prior to that I had spent nearly 14 years as a salmon and riparian ecologist with Washington Department of Natural Resources, 4 years with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and prior to that spent time as a UW research project assistant in land use - fish interactions.  Other experience included a California Fish and Game inshore gillnet fishery project and a 2+ year service in the US Peace Corps as a fishery – animal husbandry volunteer in Liberia, West Africa.  For the past 4 years I have served as an adjunct professor at the Evergreen State College Graduate School of the Environment teaching classes on salmon behavior and ecology and watershed science.  I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree (17 years and 5 kids later) from Evergreen. I also attended Pacific University, Oregon for biological studies. So there has been much personal change this past year with the new job, and now the new duties as President.

Two years ago being in this position was perhaps the last thing on my mind.  Working with other members of the Chapter has changed my perspective about what it’s like to be involved with a professional organization and it has caused a lot of growth and rewards professionally and personally.  The Chapter has many bright opportunities to look forward to in the coming years.  We still hold the flag for being the largest chapter in AFS, and over the past few years we have begun to see the increased interest and momentum from members necessary to make this an active Chapter.  I have the privilege of following up on our past-President Eric Knudsen’s enthusiasm and success of our ongoing revitalization. 
 
Our Chapter is changing 

• First, we changed our name and it was nice to be able to say to fellow AFS members this past week that I am from the Washington-British Columbia Chapter. There were no questions about what the location was or what the acronym NPIC stood for.  This effective change will greatly aid our efforts in building towards the AFS Parent Society meeting that our chapter will host in Seattle, 2011. 
• We recently had a vote for Executive Committee members that had competing nominations – an indication of increased interest.  We now have a new set of officers who are already doing excellent jobs and you’ll be hearing about their activities in the coming months as we prepare for our Annual Meeting April 20 – 23, 2009 in Shelton. 
• We have renewed energy in our Student Section where we have offered funding support for initial Student Sub-unit meetings. 
• Our renewed Marine Fisheries Committee will be fostering collaboration with other marine-oriented professional societies and agencies for ways to promote Chapter member contribution to peer-review or input into Puget Sound and coastal management planning. 
• Our website is being managed well and will be our main form of communication and development for us.    
• There is change occurring in our fishery and ecology professions as well.  Many of us continue the valuable work of life history study, species ecology, genetics, fishery management, aquaculture, marine ecology and others.  These types of specific disciplines will always have foundational importance in our profession.  In my observation over the last two decades, it appears that there is an increased demand for people who can synthesize these aquatic scientific disciplines and provide decision support for watershed and landscape level planning.  The value of understanding aquatic systems and associated biology seems to be at the core of these positions as our region braces for a population doubling in the next 50 years.  The Chapter hopes to play a key part in helping the region maintain its incredible waterways and landscapes and to continue facilitating your professional growth in regards to your current activities and changes that will occur.

Change is good – although I am not sure what percentage or trajectory is implied.  Your Executive Committee has a goal of continually improving the opportunities the Chapter can provide for you.  One change that I know we all want to see is an improvement of our fish runs and watershed function, and Puget Sound-Georgia Basin ecosystem health.  Let’s all keep doing our best to help make those changes.  Please contact me or any member of the Executive Committee for further involvement in Chapter activities.  I will do what I can to continue to uphold and increase the value that your AFS membership already has for you.

Regards,

Larry Dominguez
AFS Washington-British Columbia Chapter President
ENTRIX Natural Resource Consultants
(360) 352-3225

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