Ken Von Ruden receives River Rat Award from Chairman Sallee

Jon Stravers and group entertain at the Tuesday night social

Frankie Lasalle informs the banquet crowd of LaCrosse history.

The Wisconsin DNR staff went out of their way to make sure the 2009 Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee Annual Meeting was successful.   All aspects of the meeting were handled with great thought.  After a warm welcome from Mike Staggs (Wisconsin DNR Fish Chief), an exceptional description of the aquatic resources of the Yangtze River kicked off a fantastic General Session.  Updates on coastal work in Chesapeake Bay and Louisiana gave great insight to the management difficulties caused by distant watersheds.  Each presenter prepared a thought provoking message for the audience. 

There were a couple lighter presentations that dealt with the history of clamming along the Upper Miss and then Madam Frankie La Salle put on quite a show at the banquet. 

The UMRCC Annual Meeting is held each year in March.  The location rotates amongst the five member states – Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri.  Each state puts their best foot forward when hosting the annual meeting and there are always outstanding presentations.