America's Bountiful Waters: 150 Years of Fisheries Conservation and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

America's Bountiful Waters: 150 Years of Fisheries Conservation and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is the direct descendant of the U.S. Fish Commission, founded in 1871. In 2021, its Fish and Aquatic Conservation division marked its 150th anniversary, the oldest conservation agency in history. To commemorate this milestone, the USFWS published this compelling history to celebrate the broad-thinking scientists, writers, and artists who led us through the gilded age of American ichthyology into the present day. The book is natural and cultural history, biography and memoir, and loaded with compelling historic and fresh photos. The fishes are illustrated by Joe Tomelleri. Masterpiece. The book celebrates the 150 years of fisheries conservation...from the early days of the United States Bureau of Fisheries all the way to the present-day United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Craig Springer absolutely achieved this lofty and incredible goal...his passion, honed craft, and lifetime of blending art and science allows the book to do far more. Patrick Cooney, The Fisheries Blog Edifying. The book brims with information that's easily accessible. The book's audiences are those who want to know more about nature, the outdoors, history, as well as fishing. And not necessarily in that order. Albuquerque Journal This is an essential piece of conservation history. What I value most in this book is the big picture it provides across 150 years of saving fish and aquatic ecosystems in America, and of the people on a quest to do just that. Northern Woodlands The book is an excellent addition to the library of those with a passion for fish and conservation. Edited by fisheries biologist and writer, Craig Springer, the book includes full-color and historical images and engaging storytelling of this important piece of conservation history. Wildlife Management Institute It's a classic. The reader witnesses the importance of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, those who dedicated their lives to it salvaging many of our fisheries - giving up more monetary-driven lives for the sake of the higher goals. The science of the book flows - keeping any angler attentive and eager to turn a page. Also, the book is uniquely riveting to anyone who is species-specific interested, lending to the book's certain classic rank. FlyLife Magazine You'll learn plenty about fish , fisheries and the men and women who have spent their professional lives either preserving or restoring both. It made me aware of the praise they each deserve for their passion, skillful writing and most of all, their willingness to do work that's often taken for granted by most of us. It's work that editor Craig Springer—no stranger to our readers who appreciate good storytellers—described best when he writes: " America's Bountiful Waters transcends the living and the dead and speaks to conservation opportunities that await the unborn. Beauty opens the soul to the loveworthy—and so it is with nature's perfect creatures." Jim Shepherd, The Outdoor Wire America's Bountiful Waters is a fascinating collection of profiles of fish species, the biologists that brought many of these fish back from the verge of extinction, or through propagation, allowed them to return to their former native range. It's a treasure trove of information about the natural history, conservation, and ongoing efforts to restore and expand populations of dozens of freshwater and saltwater fish. Northern Kentucky Tribune In America's Bountiful Waters, you will find stories about fishes crafted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fish biologists who know them best--48 species in all--some of which you may have never heard of before, such as Apache trout or Alligator gar or paddlefish or robust redhorse. The book also contains 24 biographical profiles of important fisheries conservationists who have served over the last century and a half. America's Bountiful Waters is natural history, cultural history, memoir and biography. It's loaded with significant historic images culled from National Fish and Aquatic Conservation Archives in Spearfish, SD, shepherded by the greatest folks in historic preservation. You should visit D.C. Historic National Fish Hatchery, home of the archives. I enjoyed working with every contributor beyond measure. This inspiring book celebrates the passion of countless sportsmen and women who have achieved monumental conservation successes on behalf of all Americans and serves as a powerful reminder that each of us has a responsibility to ensure the wise management of our natural resources. -- Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder No other book so thoroughly and insightfully connects the history and culture of fishing with the species themselves. It's brilliantly edited and perfectly packaged for anglers of every level and all who care about our natural resources. -- Kirk Deeter, Vice President, Trout Unlimited and Editor-in-Chief, Trout magazine A mixture of both human and natural history, this