2023 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

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I am a master’s student at Montana State University working with Dr. Timothy Cline to research the life-history and movement strategies which have made invasive rainbow trout in the Flathead River watershed so successful, despite presumably having limited genetic and life-history diversity when first introduced. Rainbow trout in the Flathead River are non-native and are hybridizing and competing with native westslope cutthroat trout which have few strongholds left, the Flathead being one of the most extensive and robust. My research goal is to untangle the paradoxical relationship between rapid evolution of life-history strategies of invasive species, quantify movement patterns, and help inform management strategies which will aid in limiting further upstream spread of rainbow trout in the Flathead River watershed. I will quantify movement patterns by comparing strontium isotope ratios acquired via otolith microchemical analysis. Otoliths are inner ear bones in fish made of calcium carbonate and accumulate both growth rings (much like trees) which can be used for aging, and ambient water trace elements, and utilizing both techniques can allow an individual to be tracked through space and time. I will map these elemental isotopic ratios to the known water chemistry map of the watershed to visualize the movement patterns of the fish. My future career goals are to conserve native cold-water fishes and their habitats to ensure they thrive for generations to come. I am honored to have received such generous support, and I hope to live up to Jim’s legacy and match his passion for the ecosystems he worked on. Thank you again to the donors for the award, it will greatly improve my research.

I am currently pursuing a MS degree Montana State University in the lab of Dr. Chris Guy. My research focuses on analyzing temporal variations in the individual growth of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (YCT) in Yellowstone Lake. YCT are a keystone species in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, as they are a food source for a variety of wildlife and provide a vital link between the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Non-native Lake Trout were introduced in Yellowstone Lake in the 1980’s, and are highly predatory fish that can consume YCT in such great quantities, that YCT abundance was reduced by up to 90%. After the discovery of Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake, a panel of experts specializing in LakeTrout convened from across the country to evaluate the unchecked populations consequences. This expert panel unanimously recommended implementing a gillnet-based removal program that specifically targets Lake Trout. Presently, a multi-million dollar annual Lake Trout removal effort operates on Yellowstone Lake during the summer months. This program successfully removes approximately 300,000 Lake Trout each year, resulting in a reduction in Lake Trout abundance and an increase in YCT populations.

While extensive research has been dedicated to studying the population dynamics of Lake Trout to aid in removal efforts, YCT have not undergone a population dynamics assessment since the 1980’s. With the growing abundance of YCT, there is a growing need for a contemporary assessment of their population dynamics.  Although the abundance of YCT has increased, it remains below primary recovery benchmarks, but large individuals (> 400 mm) have become more abundant and individual weights have doubled. A large (400+ mm) YCT in 2020 weighs twice what it did in 1980, prior to the lake trout invasion. Currently, the benchmarks for YCT are all based upon abundance and include gillnet CPUE (catch-per-unit-effort), angler catch per hour, and spawner counts in streams. There is strong evidence that annual growth of YCT individuals greatly increased following the lake trout-driven decline in the YCT population. Existing recovery benchmarks do not account for shifts in individual growth. There is a need to examine patterns in YCT growth relative to periods of lake trout invasion over the past four decades on Yellowstone Lake. Results will be used to refine YCT recovery benchmarks to account for shifts in growth, greater individual weights, and overall population biomass.

My research focuses on analyzing the temporal variations in the age structure of YCT in Yellowstone Lake. I use a combination of scale and otolith data to understand how individual growth patterns have evolved over recent history. This analysis aims to provide insights into the changes in the age distribution of YCT.

I am honored to receive this award in Jim’s memory and I extend my sincerest gratitude to the donors and the committee for their generous support, and hope to continue Mr. Belsey’s legacy.

I am a master’s student working with Dr. Chris Guy in the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit at Montana State University. My research investigates the feeding ecology and trophic relationships of salmonid species in Georgetown Lake. Georgetown Lake is one of the most popular fishing destinations in Montana due to the rainbow trout and kokanee fisheries. However, recent changes in the kokanee fishery prompted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to initiate a research project to investigate if Gerrard strain rainbow trout (a piscivorous rainbow trout) are alternating the size structure and abundance of kokanee. Results from this research will directly influence the management of this very popular trout fishery, and the results will help make the trout stocking program more efficient to benefit anglers fishing in Georgetown Lake. My career goal is to manage our fisheries for posterity, so generations to come may continue to benefit from the gifts and resources our freshwater systems provide. I am honored and humbled to receive this award in Jim’s memory, and I sincerely hope to continue his legacy. I extend my gratitude to the donors and the committee for their generous support.

I am currently pursuing a MS degree at Montana State University in the Zale lab, and my research focuses on applied management of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, nonnative rainbow trout, and hybrids of the two taxa in the Lamar River watershed, Yellowstone National Park. The Lamar River watershed was formerly a large, fluvial stronghold for genetically unaltered Yellowstone cutthroat trout. However, the National Park Service intentionally stocked rainbow trout in the Lamar River watershed in the early 1900s to diversify sportfishing opportunities for visiting anglers.  Although these stocking efforts ceased nearly a century ago, legacy populations still exist, and they continue to invade, hybridizing with native Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Hybrids are now abundant in the lower Lamar River watershed, and, because of the seasonal, fluvial connectivity of the system, appear to be invading the upper watershed where Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations of high conservation priority exist.  To limit rainbow trout dispersal and slow the rate of hybridization in the upper Lamar River watershed, the National Park Service is acting to curtail the spread of invasive hybridization by source populations in the lower watershed. My goal for this research is to evaluate strategies the National Park Service can use to monitor the abundance of each taxa over time. These data will allow the National Park Service to evaluate the response of trout populations to management actions and will also be used to provide a status update of the prevalence of each taxa in locations where historical data are absent. This research also leverages angler involvement for genetic data collection and abundance estimation. Results from this research will guide National Park Service management and monitoring efforts in the Lamar River watershed, direct future efforts of the Yellowstone Volunteer Fly-Fishing Program, and help bridge the gap between angling and cold-water fisheries management. Thank you again for your support. I am truly humbled to receive this scholarship; it will help me immensely as it has helped many graduate students before me. I have spoken first hand with several graduate students that have received this same scholarship, and it has made a great impact on their academic careers.

I am a graduate student working with Dr. Christine Verhille at Montana State University and Dr. Robert Al-Chokhachy at the U.S. Geological Survey. Broadly, my research is investigating how native cutthroat trout are affected by one aspect of climate change, increasing frequency of low streamflows, and a non-native species, brown trout. Climate change and the introduction of non-native species are two of the biggest threats facing many native salmonids in North America. Low streamflow conditions are becoming increasingly frequent in the western United States with climate change, which can negatively affect habitat availability and quality. Non-native species often exacerbate the negative effects of climate change by competing for limited resources and/or by predating on native fish. Thus, it is increasingly important to understand how these factors both individually and cumulatively affect native fish to better inform conservation and management efforts. In my study, I am using a variety of field collection and statistical techniques to help answer how cutthroat trout survival, growth rates, and habitat selection are affected by low streamflows and the presence of brown trout, which I hope will inform management decisions into the future. I am incredibly grateful and honored to have been chosen as a 2021 Jim Belsey Scholarship recipient. I will be using the funds to help cover the costs of a course at the University of Montana that will greatly benefit me in my ongoing research. I sincerely hope to honor Jim’s legacy in my ongoing work on western native trout.

I am a master's student in the Albertson Lab, and I study the effects of climate change on giant salmonflies in the Madison River. Anglers know the Madison as a productive coldwater fishery with an exciting salmonfly hatch. In addition to providing great fishing to recreationists each summer, giant salmonflies provide important nutrient subsidies to fish, birds, and spiders in their adult phase. In their larval form, which can live for up to four years in rivers, they provide a high protein food source for fish, and process organic matter. The range of giant salmonflies on the Madison River once extended almost to Three Forks, but has contracted as water temperatures have warmed. My research investigates the effect of rising temperatures at different times in the salmonfly life cycle so that we can promote effective stewardship of these important insects and the food web they support. After completing my graduate studies, I will continue to pursue a career in ecological restoration. I am humbled to receive the Jim Belsey scholarship, and hope to have a positive impact on aquatic ecosystems and on my community, just as he did. I extend sincere thanks to the donors and to the committee for supporting students like me each year with this award.

I am an M.S. candidate working with Dr. Lindsey Alberston conducting research on Yellowstone Lake, home to the largest genetically pure population of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. My research investigates how benthic invertebrates respond to management actions to suppress invasive lake trout, which have dramatically reduced the abundance of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Benthic invertebrates are a major food source for both the invasive lake trout and the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and they contribute to key ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling and decomposition. Results of my research indicate that methods to suppress lake trout embryos are unlikely to change invertebrate abundance and food availability for native trout at a lake-wide scale. Understanding the non-target effects of lake trout suppression provides fisheries managers with vital information to guide implementation of management actions to suppress invasive lake trout. My research benefits the conservation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake and will inform the management of invasive fishes more broadly. After graduate school, I hope to continue working to conserve and restore Montana's aquatic ecosystems, with a focus on native biodiversity. I am extremely honored and grateful to receive this award and look forward to carrying on Jim's legacy in my future career.

I am currently a PhD candidate working with Dr. Chris Guy in the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research unit at Montana State University. I am studying the effect of Lake Trout suppression techniques on the Yellowstone Lake ecosystem, with these methods helping Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout conservation. Lake Trout were introduced into Yellowstone Lake in the late 1980s and are voracious predators that consumed Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in such great numbers that a trophic cascade was observed in the ecosystem. Within this study, our goal is to understand how the use of Lake Trout carcass material to kill Lake Trout embryos may influence other aspects of the Yellowstone Lake ecosystem, from algae to fish. My research focuses on the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Lake Trout dynamics in Yellowstone Lake. I will be identifying the way in which the diets of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Lake Trout have changed throughout the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout conservation program, identifying whether carcass material can be detected in the food web through the use of stable isotopes, creating whole-ecosystem models to show how the flow of energy has changed during the Lake Trout suppression program, as well as implementing a whole-ecosystem model to identify areas of management effort that could be used for future conservation of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. Though I started much later in life, my love of fly fishing has grown along with my fisheries knowledge gained from my undergraduate and graduate studies. My career goal is to obtain a faculty position at a research university and establish myself as a scientist advancing the field of aquatic ecology with both ecological and management application. I have dedicated my career thus far to the conservation of coldwater fishes, especially trout, and hope to continue this pattern. I am honored to have been selected for this award and sincerely hope I can honor Jim’s legacy. Thank you to the committee and donors for their continued support.

I am currently a master’s student working under Dr. Chris Guy with the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research unit at Montana State University. I study Bull Trout, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Bull Trout have strict habitat requirements, needing cold, clean water and open migratory corridors. Habitat degradation and fragmentation has led to widespread declines in Bull Trout populations across their native range. The Clark Fork River historically connected Montana tributaries to Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille but has since been fragmented by a series of hydroelectric dams. My research is taking place as part of a large, collaborative effort to restore and maintain connectivity between Bull Trout populations in tributaries to the lower Clark Fork River and the large, cold-water refuge of Lake Pend Oreille, through a manual trap and transport program. I am specifically focused on gaining a better understanding of the outmigration dynamics of adfluvial, juvenile Bull Trout. This information will be used to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the juvenile transport program, with the ultimate goal of increasing populations of adfluvial Bull Trout in the lower Clark Fork River. Like Jim, I found my passion for fisheries conservation through my love of fly fishing. In my current position, and into my future career, I aim to conduct applied research with the goal of conserving native and wild fish and ensuring that there are healthy fisheries for generations to come. I am very grateful to have been selected to receive this award, and I am honored to have the opportunity to carry on Jim’s legacy . 

I am a master’s candidate in Dr. Lindsey Albertson’s lab. I study functional responses to changes in hydrology and fluvial geomorphology from beaver mimicry structure (BMS) installations in a low-gradient stream in the Centennial Valley. My study site is a spawning tributary used by the last remaining adfluvial population of Arctic grayling in the lower 48. Grayling are listed as a species of concern by the state of Montana, and restoration efforts are underway to improve habitat conditions throughout their limited range. My research aids in the understanding of how restoration tools like BMS alter secondary production of macroinvertebrates and basal resource flows that may have trophic implications for grayling. I am honored to receive the Jim Belsey Award in 2019, and would like to thank the committee for their continued support.

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I have been working in fisheries since 2011, initially in Wisconsin and Michigan, before making the move to Montana to work on trout restoration. I am currently a Master’s candidate at Montana State University researching the predictors of success of wild origin Westslope Cutthroat Trout raised in captivity. The South Fork Flathead Restoration Project works to remove non-native salmonids from historic Westslope habitat in Northwest Montana and restore lost or threatened populations. To support this goal, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has established a conservation hatchery to ensure the successful propagation of wild Westslope Cutthroat Trout. Wild juvenile cutthroat are captured in the wild and raised in the hatchery until they reproduce and the offspring are stocked into target water bodies.  I am measuring a variety of behavioral, morphological, and physiological traits, as well as assessing the growth and reproductive performance of each fish to determine if any trait may predict performance. My research seeks to identify trout that may be vulnerable to artificial selection processes immediately when they are brought to the hatchery, as evidence suggests that certain types of fish are selected for over others.  I am extremely grateful for the investment that the Jim Belsey Endowment has made in my research and professional development. I am honored to accept this award in Jim’s memory and continue his work of western trout conservation. 

I am a master’s candidate at the MSU Cooperative Fishery Research Unit under the supervision of Dr. Al Zale.  I study native Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Arctic Grayling populations in Yellowstone National Park where reintroduction efforts of these two species are underway.  Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Arctic Grayling are listed as species of special concern by the state of Montana, and Arctic Grayling have also been considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act by the USFWS.  My research, conducted in collaboration with the Yellowstone National Park Native Trout Conservation Program, aims to help inform fishery managers about the current status and future management actions in conserving these native fishes.  Throughout my current research, professional development, and personal endeavors, I hope to encompass the same passion and enjoyment that Jim displayed through his commitment to cold-water trout (both on and off the clock).  It is an enormous honor to be a recipient of part of Jim Belsey’s legacy and I am forever grateful.

I have been doing research on native fish in Montana since 2013.  Like Jim, I fell in love with Montana’s mountains and amazing trout fisheries and I am passionate about protecting these resources.  I am currently a master’s student at Montana State University working to improve the conservation status of Arctic grayling in the upper Big Hole River watershed.  One of many conservation actions under the Big Hole River Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances program was the installation of Denil fish ladders throughout the valley.  These fishways have been retrofitted to irrigation diversions to facilitate upstream passage of grayling and restore access to critical habitats.  My research involves directly evaluating passage of grayling and other fish species using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) technology. I hope to determine physical and hydraulic factors affecting passage and develop design criteria and management recommendations to improve passage success.  My thanks go to the Jim Belsey Endowment for their generous contribution to my research and education.  It is a very special honor for me to accept this award and I am excited to do my part in furthering Jim’s legacy.  

My graduate research with MSU’s Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit focuses on a newcomer to the fish communities of the Upper Yellowstone river: smallmouth bass. These warm-water invasives have been present in the lower river for decades, but increasing numbers of anglers and managers are detecting them farther upstream than ever before. My research focuses on understanding what controls the upstream extent of their range on the Yellowstone, as well as where their place will be on the food web, and the potential impacts that this invasion may incur on native fish communities. This generous contribution from the Jim Belsey Endowment will fund a diet analysis of over 100 smallmouth bass collected this past season, thereby shedding light what they prey on, where they prey, and which native species they may compete with at different life stages. My research is a collaborative effort with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and covers much needed ground in understanding the invasion ecology of smallmouth bass in not just the Yellowstone, but in other cold-water trout rivers throughout Montana and the West. I am honored to receive this recognition, and can only hope that my career might one day lead a new generation to conservation with the same passion that Jim Belsey’s life clearly has.

I am a master’s student in the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit at Montana State University under the supervision of Dr. Al Zale. I am working in collaboration with Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to investigate movement patterns of fish in the Smith River, an unfragmented watershed in central Montana. The results of this work will help fisheries and land managers determine appropriate scales for managing aquatic connectivity in western watersheds. Prior to coming to Montana State University, I worked with both state and federal agencies on projects pertaining to the conservation and management of wild populations of trout, salmon, and steelhead. I have a Bachelors of Science in Ecology from Idaho State University. While at Idaho State University, I conducted research in central Idaho on the abundance, biomass, and production of Mountain Whitefish. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career as a fisheries biologist for a state fish and wildlife management agency.

My graduate research focuses on the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to determine the abundance of spawning Cutthroat Trout in tributaries to Yellowstone Lake. The once abundant population of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout has been negatively affected by non-native Lake Trout and whirling disease. In an effort to restore this keystone species to the Yellowstone Lake ecosystem, a Lake Trout suppression program is in operation. The number of spawning fish that return to spawning tributaries each year is used as an index of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout population abundance and a metric for evaluating the effectiveness of the Lake Trout suppression program. Results from this study will inform managers on the effectiveness of using eDNA to estimate abundance of an aquatic species.  After completing my master’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Management at Montana State University I plan to continue a career in native fish conservation. I also plan on trying to ‘out-do’ Jim in his love of life and friends; based on all accounts I’ll certainly have my work cut out for me. It is truly an honor to be chosen to receive the Jim Belsey scholarship award. This generous award will help me cover the various costs associated with obtaining a master’s degree such as textbooks, school fees, and sample analyses.

My current PhD research in Yellowstone National Park focuses on the conservation and management of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in the Lamar River drainage.  This drainage contains a strong population of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout that is threatened by competition and hybridization with non-native Rainbow Trout.  I am using molecular genetics to identify the extent and degree of hybridization within the watershed, in order to prioritize units for conservation and determine source locations contributing to the spread of hybridization.  I am also using telemetry to track individual fish during the spawning migration to identify where reproductive overlap is occurring, and how genetic differences influence migratory behavior.  I am honored to be chosen for the Jim Belsey award, and would like to extend my thanks to those who continue to recognize Jim’s legacy of conservation through organizing this scholarship.  The funds will help further my passion for salmonid research and conservation. 

I am currently conducting research on bull trout in the Thompson River drainage of Thompson Falls, MT. Bull trout are native to Montana and are federally listed as a threatened species due to increased habitat degradation, fragmentation, and competition with non-native species. The focus of my M.S. research is to investigate the movement characteristics and survival of subadult bull trout as they emigrate from their natal headwaters to the larger river system lower in the drainage. Identifying areas or issues that are leading to reduced bull trout survival in the area may be used to inform local conservation and management efforts of this heritage fish. I intend on completing my M.S. degree in the winter of 2016 and aim to pursue a career as a management biologist working with native sport fish conservation. I am genuinely appreciative of having received the 2015 Jim Belsey Award. His generosity will certainly help me achieve my professional goals by easing the financial burdens of higher education.

My graduate research has focused on looking for a non-lethal way to examine the life history and movements of westslope cutthroat trout. Westslope cutthroat are a native species of special concern in Montana and have had their habitat reduced dramatically, roughly occupying only 9% of their historical range. I am looking at the feasibility of using fin rays or scales, instead of otoliths, to track their life history using microchemistry methods. It is my hope that a simple clip from a fin ray or gentle removal of scales will be able to guide management practices based on information about where a fish has been throughout its life, without needing to harm the fish. This is something that is especially important for any species with a dwindling population or reduced habitat. I am deeply grateful to be recognized by the Belsey scholarship committee and am honored to carry on the proud tradition of dedicated fisheries work that Jim Belsey has instilled in all of the recipients of this scholarship. The money from this scholarship will go towards my tuition and fees for the remainder of my time at Montana State University, allowing me to redirect funds towards hiring an undergraduate technician to help with my laboratory work.

I have been studying the spawning stream usage of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout population in Yellowstone Lake. This once abundant population has been reduced to a mere fraction of its former numbers due to invasive lake trout, whirling disease, and drought. My graduate study involves the use of water and otolith microchemistry to identify the natal streams of cutthroat trout. In short, I will be matching the chemical signatures found in the water of spawning streams to those found in fish bones. By identifying these streams and quantifying their contribution to the cutthroat trout population we hope to inform future management and restoration efforts. I hope that this research will improve the long-term outlook for cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake, and help return them to their former abundance. Receiving this scholarship is a great honor, and I hope that one day I will contribute as much to fish conservation as Jim Belsey. This scholarship will help cover my tuition and fees for the remainder of my time at Montana State University, and for that I am very grateful.

The goal of my graduate research is to evaluate the importance of unaltered tributaries to the wild salmonid populations of montane river basins, with a focus on Tenderfoot Creek, a major undisturbed tributary of the Smith River. Over the past four years, I have been investigating salmonid use of Tenderfoot Creek as a thermal refuge, spawning ground, and nursery area. In 2014, my project expanded to examine the use of the confluence area of Tenderfoot Creek in the Smith River by salmonids during periods of thermal stress. Receipt of this award has provided me with an opportunity to improve this research, and my findings will impact future decisions regarding conservation strategies and tactics in the face of climate change. I am sincerely honored to receive the Jim Belsey Award, especially with the knowledge that the Smith River was his favorite. I will carry on the commitment to conservation that Jim Belsey exemplified and take a moment to honor him at Table Rock each time I float the Smith River.

I have been conducting research on the life history characteristics of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in a headwater basin within the Upper Snake River drainage in Wyoming. Specifically, I am seeking to understand how stream factors affect growth, survival, and movement of Yellowstone cutthroat trout.  Many of the remaining populations of this subspecies occur in headwater systems, but little is known about life history diversity within and across these types of watersheds.  My research will provide valuable information to conservation planning and restoration efforts. I have recently completed all of my field work and will now begin data analysis and thesis writing. The Belsey Scholarship enabled me to pay for textbooks, university fees, and other educational costs not covered by my project funding. I am grateful for this added assistance as I finish up the final year of my Master’s program. After completion, I intend to continue working to help conserve this region’s native cold-water fish species.

For the past three years, my graduate research focuses on one of the leading threats to native fisheries and   biodiversity: invasive species.  In the Rocky Mountains of Montana, invasive lake trout threaten native populations of threatened bull trout and cutthroat trout.  Glacier National Park contains about one-third of the natural lakes supporting bull trout in the USA.  However, lake trout have invaded 9 of the 12 connected lakes on the west side of Glacier National Park, threatening the persistence of bull trout. Lake trout displace native salmonids when introduced and data shows this occurring in Glacier National Park as well as other lakes in Montana. My research has focused on assessing the demographic characteristics of a lake trout population in Quartz Lake, Glacier National Park.  I will model the success of suppression efforts and establish benchmarks for future management. Results of my research will have broad applicability for conservation of native coldwater fisheries in Montana and the western USA, where introduced lake trout threaten the survival of native trout. I felt extremely honored and grateful to receive the Jim Belsey Award in 2013. Jim Belsey’s contributions throughout his life were incredible, therefore, to be recognized by this committee as deserving of this award is truly an honor.  The Award will be used to help pay tuition and fees for my final semester in spring 2014.

Through the Big Hole Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances program, over 260 projects have been completed to improve the conditions for Arctic grayling in the upper Big Hole River watershed. My research project will evaluate the effect of management actions on Arctic grayling population abundance. I have worked as a Fisheries Technician for FWP since 2005 and will maintain my position while pursuing a M.S. degree in Fish and Wildlife Management from MSU. The position and my family are based out of Dillon. The Jim Belsey Scholarship will be used to pay tuition and fees, allowing funds previously intended for that purpose to be reallocated and alleviate personal travel expense. Receiving the award will make a considerable difference for me and my family and is greatly appreciated.

I have been studying Arctic grayling and wild trout populations in the upper Big Hole River watershed since 2007. My research has provided pertinent information for Arctic grayling conservation planning and sport fisheries management. Receiving the Jim Belsey Award in 2010 assisted me in affording health insurance, books, and university fees. I plan to complete my PhD in 2012 and, in the spirit of the Belsey Award, continue working to improve our understanding of the rivers and streams that support wild fish populations.

I received the Jim Belsey Memorial Scholarship in 2010 after completing my first year as a graduate student.  The award was an honor for me personally as it recognized my hard work on my project, and has been very appreciated financially in helping with project and personal expenses.  My graduate experience is unique as I am older than most graduate students and have more family commitments.  I have been very fortunate to work with excellent and supportive MSU advisors.  My research is an assessment of the degree of success of Superfund remediation efforts toward the goal of recovering fish populations in Silver Bow Creek near Butte, Montana.  Silver Bow Creek was contaminated by 150 years of mining contamination from local copper mines and fish were completely absent from the creek for most of that time.  Remediation began in 1999.  I have been working with Montana FWP to monitor the distribution and movements of trout and sucker populations that have slowly returned to the creek.  In the summer 2011, I have found over 100 native westslope cutthroat trout that have colonized this previously dead stream.

For the last four years, I have been conducting research on Snake River finespotted cutthroat trout in the upper Snake River, WY.  This native species is the focus of a blue-ribbon fishery and is distributed throughout the historic range, yet little is known about habitat use and movement patterns.  For my PhD research, I am evaluating the specific seasonal habitat requirements and spatial extent of the Snake River used by cutthroat trout, with an emphasis on exploring the role of behavioral strategies and the spatial arrangement of habitat on habitat selection.  I was grateful to receive the Jim Belsey award in 2011 and am using it to pay for my final semester of tuition, fees, and health insurance.  I plan on completing my PhD in 2012.  Post-graduation, I will be continuing research on salmonids as the Chum Salmon Reintroduction Coordinator for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.