Dear AREA Members:

Montana is ready, and we are pleased to invite you to take part in the Aquatic Resources Education Association’s Biennial Conference. We’ll meet September 28^th to October 2^nd at Chico Hot Springs Resort, located in the spectacular surroundings of Montana’s Paradise Valley south of Livingston.

The Aquatic Education programs of Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota have teamed up to host this meeting, and we hope it will be a productive, educational, and enjoyable experience. We have a full agenda of sessions, with excellent presenters from across the nation.

In addition to our meeting, we’ll be spending time outdoors experiencing firsthand the resources that Montana and Wyoming offer. On the afternoon of September 30^th, our group will travel by raft down the Yellowstone River, the longest un-dammed river in the lower 48 states. During this field session, participants will become familiar with fisheries management issues and the aquatic resources of the river, and discuss some of the problems and issues confronting it.

Either before or after the meeting, We’d encourage you not to miss out on the wide variety of recreational opportunities available nearby. Think about fishing the world famous, blue-ribbon waters nearby, such as the Yellowstone, Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson, or a number of small mountain lakes and creeks all holding wild trout.

You may also wish to take a day hike into the Beartooth, Bridger, or Gallatin Mountain ranges. For those wanting a different type of experience, you may wish to visit one of Montana’s State Parks, such as Missouri Headwaters, Lewis & Clark Caverns, or Virginia City. The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman has a nationally famous planetarium and dinosaur display, and both Bozeman and Livingston offer excellent shopping in a western environment.

We look forward to hosting you in Montana. You couldn’t have picked a more beautiful time of the year to visit us . . . . think about bringing your spouse and family with you to the state many rightly call "The Last Best Place." See you in September, and don’t forget a bathing suit for the hot springs!