Working in partnership with biologists from the Tulsa ES Office, staff completed a sampling protocol for the Arkansas River Shiner. The Arkansas River Shiner is a state and federally listed threatened fish species located in the Canadian and Arkansas River drainages. An ongoing effort is underway to protect the species and restore populations in Oklahoma.

An article about OKFRO fish passage projects in Southeastern Oklahoma was published in the Broken Bow Herald. Further exposure of fish passage barriers and solutions to improve fish passage should encourage private landowners to take steps to improve fish passage in Oklahoma.

As a participant in the Student Conservation Association program, which allows students to gain valuable experience by volunteering their time for conservation efforts on public lands, the Oklahoma FRO welcomed Jay Tenney from the University of Tennessee. Mr. Tenney began work on May 15. We are grateful to have his help. He has been conducting Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) boater surveys and trailer counts at Lake Texoma boat ramps. Boater surveys help increase public awareness about ANS and provide information to biologists on boating traffic and movement between water bodies. This effort equals 88 volunteer hours.