When
Thursday, June 1, 2023
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Where
Holiday Inn Richland on the River
Richland, Washington
The River Mile Mission Statement
Vision
Educators and students collaborating with partners to do real-world science and enhance the health of the Columbia River watershed and beyond.
Mission
Our mission is to connect students and teachers throughout the Columbia River Watershed with the federal, state, and local resource agencies, and organizations to do real-world science. Together they form a network of resource managers, scientists, informal educators, teachers, and students exploring how we simultaneously use and protect our watershed.
The River Mile is a network of educators and students collaborating with partners to do real-world science and enhance the health of the Columbia River watershed and beyond, exploring the essential question:
“How do relationships among components of an ecosystem affect watershed health?”
Crayfish Conference
A Confluence of Science and Education
FREE
A Hybrid Virtual and In-Person Event!
June 1, 2023
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The crayfish conference brings together
scientists, wildlife managers, fisheries managers, educators and students
interested in the status of crayfish throughout the North American continent.
Conference
In-Person and Virtual
Location:
Holiday Inn Richland on the River
Richland, Washington
(at Cathedral Park on the river)
6543 N Burlington Ave.
Portland, OR 97203
Crayfish Round-Up!
In-Person Welcome
May 31, 2023
5:00PM to 7:30PM
Location:
The REACH Museum
1943 Columbia Park Trail
Richland, WA 99352
ArcGIS Online Training
In-Person
May 31, 2023
1:00PM to 4:00PM
Location:
The Reach Museum
Registration Deadlines
In Person: May 25, 2023
Virtual: May31, 2023
Presented by
The River Mile Network, National Park Service, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, The Reach Museum, Lake Roosevelt Forum, Environmental Protection Agency, Engaging Every Student, and the University of Idaho Extension
School and Educator Assistance
is Available!
Assistance is available for teachers and students to participate in the conference, opening event, ArcGIS training, AND field visits to collect crayfish data!
Requirements
Conference, Crayfish Round-Up! and ArcGIS training
Submit application before registration closes on May 25th. Anyone can request assistance.
Crayfish Data Collection Field Visit
Complete on-demand virtual training and request to be added to your state's permit.
Submit application at least 3 weeks prior to site visit.
Must submit data prior to issuing of any funds.
Conference Overview
Conference Schedule
8:00 AM Registration and Breakfast
8:15 AM Exhibits/Networking
9:00 AM Welcome and Keynote
10:00 AM Speaker
11:00 AM Speaker
12:15 LUNCH and Speaker
1:30 PM Speaker
2:30 PM Speaker/Workshop
3:30 PM Closing Wrap-Up
|4:00 PM End
Note: Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks are included!
Breaks/Networking with researchers, teachers, and students
will happen throught the day
Keynotes
Is the signal crayfish a single crayfish? Updating taxonomy of Pacifastacus crayfishes in western North America
Dr. Eric Larson, Associate Professor
Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Univerisity of Illinois
An overview of recent morphological and molecular work on unique lineages of signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) in the Pacific Northwest
Several recent scientific studies have reported high mitochondrial DNA divergence of signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) populations in the Pacific Northwest region of western North America, potentially meriting elevation to species status. I report in-progress work leveraging nuclear genomics and morphological assessments to evaluate whether two lineages currently recognized as signal crayfish should be described as separate species.
A Plague on Both Your Lakes… and other mysteries from the Montana crAy Team
Susan Adams, Research Aquatic Ecologist/Team Leader
USDA Forest Service
Southern Research Station
There’s so much we don’t know. Such as why there are crayfish plague outbreaks and which species are native where in MT. I’ll share what we do know.
We found severe lesions on crayfish in two Montana lakes in 2021. After we started paying more attention, we found lesions (often minor) in at least 60 sites in the state. I’ll discuss crayfish plague, why people haven’t been concerned about it in North America, and why we might want to start paying attention to it. I’ll also talk about the challenges of figuring out what species are native where in the state given the lack of historic data--and why it matters.
The $5 Crawfish Trap
Darren Sinko, Science Teacher
North Bend Middle School
Will show the attendees at the Crawfish Conference how to make a cheap crawfish trap.
Using materials from the Dollar Tree, I will show the attendees step by step how to make a cheap but effect crawfish trap. The plan is to have the materials on hand so that everyone who wants to participate can build a trap and take it home to use with their school, organization, or club.
Other speakers include:
Jim Ekins, Ph.D., University of Idaho Ext. Service
Ky Turner and her students, Columbia School, Hunters, WA
Tate Libunao, Ph.D student, University of Idaho, Crayfish Mercury Study
Jamie Morton, Teacher, Lewiston High School, ID
Lodging
Holiday Inn Richland on the River
We have negotiated a block room rate of $119 for lodging, but each individual guest must make their own reservations by calling 509-946-7611 by Wednesday, May 10, 2023. You must identify yourself as members of the Crayfish Conference, and we have funding for lodging and transportation reimbursement. Contact Rick Reynolds, M.S. with questions: rick@engagingeverystudent.com.
Credit and Clock Hours
To Be Determined: Generally Free STEM Clock Hours are available for Washington teachers and certificates of participation are provided for Oregon teachers who participate in The River Mile Training.
Check out our website! therivermile.org