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Past Events
-Camping trip to Lake Ouachita (AR), June 11-13, 2004. After a vote the club decided to go to Lake Ouachita for our 2004 camping trip. Fortunately, the weather was on our side and we enjoyed great camping conditions. Some of the activities included fishing, boating, swimming and more but let the pictures talk by themselves…(Click here to see the pictures).
-SERA-IEG-9 & SRAC Meeting, UAPB, Pine Bluff (AR), June 6-8, 2004. Aquaculture scientists congregated from all over the southeastern region of the US. During a two-day workshop, scientists debated and exchanged information on different aquaculture related topics. UAPB students helped out in the organization of this event, and served as co-facilitators in several different research forums. One of our club members said "We had a good turn out and the meeting was very successful; it was a great opportunity for UAPB students to get involved and network with professionals"
-Pond renovation at the Scoggins Mayhall School, 23 April, 2004: This was a good opportunity for us to put in practice the aquaculture engineering skills acquired during our training at UAPB. The reconstruction of the pond provided experience with surveying equipment and also the satisfaction of volunteering for the community. Volunteers worked under the supervision of David Heikes and Dr. Wes Neal who redesigned the pond and worked hard to get it done in only one day. Good job guys!!! (Click here to see the pictures).
-Trail building at the Delta Rivers Nature Center, in collaboration with the Boy Scout Group from Watson Chapel, May 15-16, 2004. The AFC worked along with The Watson Chapel Boy Scout Group to construct a trail at the Delta Rivers Nature Center. With the mosquitoes and the Arkansas heat, it was not the most glamorous job, but it was a good chance to get outside and participate in a worthy cause. With a slew of volunteers, we were able to clear almost a mile of new trail. Although the heat, mosquitoes and poison ivy gave us a hard time, the work was completed before it was planned and everybody got back home with great satisfaction.
-Construction of the water exhibit at the Delta Rivers Nature Center, July 12-13, 2004. Dr. Wes Neal, an active collaborator for our club, organized a crew of students, faculty and staff from our department to construct an ornamental water garden pond at the Nature Center. This was planned to enhance the beauty of the building’s surroundings. The work started early on Monday, and continued until the next afternoon. The pond is a recirculating system that contains a waterfall, a skimmer and a biofilter. It was built in an existing butterfly exhibit. Someone said butterflies are happier than they used to be since the construction of this pond because they found an appropriate place to rest and hang out (Click here to see the pictures). -Official meetings. The club has an official meeting at least once a month and more frequently if issues arise that need to be discussed. Meetings thus far have consisted of discussion of upcoming events on campus, possible volunteer projects, professional meetings, guest speakers, fundraisers and other issues of concern that came up throughout the year. Pizza and soda are always provided for members at the meetings.
-Guest speakers. The club brought in a few guest speakers on November 17 2004. The first guest speaker (Dr. Linda Okiror). Subject matter dealt with portfolios for the aquaculture/fisheries undergraduates at the university. The second guest speaker was Dr. Carole Engle who talked about Asian carp in aquaculture and the environment.
-Year round fundraiser. The club still sponsors a year round fundraiser at a specific location on campus where candy bars, chips and soda are sold to raise money for the club.
-Aquaculture Field Day, October 7, 2004. UAPB was host of a biennial "Field Day". This event demonstrated to the fish farmers of Arkansas the latest research and extension work related to aquaculture at the university. The club helped with set up and organization of this meeting. Members also presented posters on research and some demonstrated aquaculture techniques and research.
-Catfish Sale, October 29, 2004. Another catfish sale took place on October 29th 2004, after the harvest of all research ponds. The club cleaned approximately 765 pounds of catfish for Pine Bluff residents at $0.50/pound as a fundraiser.
-Help during harvest. Many volunteers from the club helped with catfish and shrimp harvests at the research facility throughout the month of October (Click here to see the pictures).
-Float for the homecoming parade, October 31, 2004. Volunteers from the club made and rode on a float for the homecoming parade in Pine Bluff. Food was provided for members that helped with the construction of the float. The float advertised the Aquaculture and Fisheries Department of the university as well as the club. We obtained the Captain Catfish costume from the Catfish Farmers of America and a club member wore the suit on the float. This parade is a huge event in Pine Bluff and participation in this event brings a lot of positive attention to the university and the department. (Click here to see the float picture).
-Boo on the Bayou, October 29-30, 2004. Members of the club helped at an event called "Boo on the Bayou." This was a Halloween activity for kids and was held at the Delta River Nature Center in Pine Bluff. Members were involved in games and the distribution of goldfish to the kids.
-Thanksgiving drive. Money earned from fundraisers was used to purchase food for meetings and other gatherings and will support a camping trip for members in the spring. The club also purchased and donated $50.00 worth of food for a Thanksgiving drive for the needy. -Aquaculture America 2005. -Guest speakers: Dr. Andy Goodwin and Fred Heitman gave aquaculture related talks during spring 2005. Dr. Goodwin spoke about Japanese culture and aquaculture. He gave a presentation on a conference and trip that he took to Japan. Fred Heitman came to UAPB to talk to students about work in the private sector. He has a MS degree and owns his own aquatic consulting firm. He informed students about different areas of work other than state and federal jobs. -Shrimp and Stripped bass donations. The club received a 30-pound shrimp bag as a result of our help with shrimp harvests at the research station. The club also received a donation of 50 striped bass from a previous UAPB student. Both the fish and shrimp will be served to members of the club at a camping trip planned for April. Some students got together and cleaned the fish to have it ready for being coked at the camping trip (Click here to see pictures). - Club logo (March 05'). We had three different designs created by the vice president Ignacio Masson. Members voted on the one that they liked the most. Majority vote decided the new logo for the club. One club member used the logo design and some artistic ability to create ideas for club t-shirts. We have a final design and are in the process of creating shirts. -White bass fishing tournament. The club held this activity for members. The tournament took place in a bayou near the school and was a huge success. Some club members donated fish for a fish fry after the tournament and we also cleaned about 50 white bass and cooked them for members. The club obtained donations for door prizes and used fundraised money to buy trophies for the winners (Click here to see pictures).
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