Congratulations to Associate Professor Don Haynes on receiving the 2019 Distinguished Service Award for Leadership from Trout Unlimited (TU) for exceptional leadership as chair of the Mid-Atlantic Council. Trout Unlimited is a national organization that aims to conserve, protect and restore North America’s cold-water fisheries and their watersheds, and their Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual whose leadership has enriched the TU community at the chapter, council, national or trustee level. A key attribute of the award is the sharing of ideas, experiences, and knowledge with others to nurture and mentor the next generation of cold-water conservationists and leaders. According to TU, Prof. Haynes has used the organization’s online Leaders Forum as a way to spread ideas, foster creativity and connect and support TU volunteers well outside of his immediate geographic reach. Prof. Haynes was presented with the award last week at TU’s 2019 Annual Meeting held in Rogers, AK.

Both Prof. Haynes and his wife, Norma, have dedicated decades of combined service to TU’s mission. From the TU Awards Ceremony program:

“From City Catch, a program that connects Baltimore families to the importance of keeping local rivers clean, to the launch and revitalization of many local chapters, they have poured heart and talent into TU as a couple.

Steadfastly focused on ensuring the next generation of leaders follow in their footsteps, the pair have helped recruit young and passionate members into the leadership ranks.

Whether you know if or not, your own chapter has likely benefited from an idea fostered in Norma’s chapter or a resource designed or shared by Don in the Tacklebox or Community Forum. Thanks to Don and Norma, TU is thriving in the Mid-Atlantic, and their model of investing in the future leadership is being spread far and wide.”