(Washington, DC) – The National Fish Habitat Board (Board) held their first election as a full Board at their recent meeting on February 28 – March 1, 2023. The America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (PL 116 – 188, ACE Act) outlines the National Fish Habitat Board which consists of 26 members, nine seats are specified by the ACE Act while remaining seats are elected by National Fish Habitat Board members. At their February meeting, the Board re-elected the following members: Gene Gilliland, Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society representing Freshwater Recreational Anglers; Mike Leonard, American Sportfishing Association representing the Recreational Sportfishing Industry; and Bryan Moore, Trout Unlimited representing a Habitat Conservation Organization. In addition, the Board elected Amy Singler (American Rivers/The Nature Conservancy) as a new member representing a Habitat Conservation Organization. All elected Board member terms are three years.
Ms. Singler brings over 20 years of experience in non-profit and state government to the Board and has broad experience in developing and managing complex partner initiatives, restoration projects, and training programs. Ms. Singler currently serves in a shared position as a River Restoration Director for American Rivers & River Restoration Advisor for The Nature Conservancy. In her roles, Singler facilitates opportunities in the Northeast region to improve the policy and practice of barrier removal. She has worked hard to implement improvements in funding, dam safety policy, and partner capacity to increase the pace and scale of river rehabilitation through dam removals and other habitat projects. Additionally, Ms. Singler has been developing national-level opportunities to improve dam removal practices.
“The NFHP Board appreciates the strong and enduring interest in the conservation community to want to serve on the Board.” said Robert Boyles, Chairman of the National Fish Habitat Board. “We are grateful for the continued interest of our re-elected Board members, and we welcome the expertise and experience of our newest Board member, Amy Singler, as we look to broaden the membership and perspectives of our Board.”
Ms. Singler replaced Alison Bowden, who held one of the Habitat Conservation Organization Board seats as the Director of Conservation Science and Strategy for The Nature Conservancy. Ms. Bowden served on the National Fish Habitat Board since 2017.
The February meeting of the Board was also the first meeting for the Southeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) representative to the Board, Austin Booth, Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). Mr. Booth was appointed by SEAFWA as their representative on the Board, one of the ACE Act designated seats, replacing Robert Boyles who was named Chair of the Board representing the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) in January. The next meeting of the National Fish Habitat Board will be held virtually on June 13th.