Friends Receives Robert M. Jenkins Award

Conway, Arkansas
March 16, 2023

Friends of the North Fork and White Rivers (Friends), a regional watershed organization was named 2023’s Robert M. Jenkins Award recipient by the Arkansas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) at their annual meeting. Friends’ representatives Sam Cooke, president, and Tim Burnley, board member, accepted the award presented in recognition of the organization’s outstanding achievement and commitment to fisheries conservation in Arkansas.

At the state AFS meeting, 44 papers and posters on aquatic life were presented by college students, researchers, and professional fisheries managers. The worldwide American Fisheries Society promotes scientific research and sustainable management of fisheries resources and meetings where research results and practical management applications are reported and discussed.

The nonprofit Friends organization advocates for clean, healthy water in the middle White River watershed. It organizes Stream Teams, awards scholarships, leads groups in streambank and riparian restoration and it raises public awareness of water quality issues that threaten public health and aquatic life.

In the photo, left to right:

Tim Burnley, AGFC Stream Habitat Supervisor and Friends board member

Sam Cooke, Friends President

Christy Graham, Arkansas AFS President and AGFC Trout Management Supervisor