Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Inc. members Jerry and Betty Coleman, along with Wolf Creek NFH Environmental Education/Outreach Specialist Amanda Patrick, attended the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Fisheries Friends Group Conference held in Washington D.C., March 10 - 12, 2009.  The national conference was an opportunity for Friends Groups (those related to the Fisheries Program) from across the country to network and share ideas. 

During their time in D.C, the various Friends representatives began organizing and thinking from a national perspective, learned about the Fisheries Program budget along with future program priorities, potential lobbying/partnering organizations, discussed the formation of the newly established national association, including bylaws review and spent 2 days on the Hill with the various Senate and Congressional representatives to discuss important issues relating to the goals of the Fisheries Program and the overall mission of the Service.  The Coleman’s also personally met with Congressmen Ed Whitfield and Brett Guthrie. 

While on Capitol Hill, reps from Wolf Creek NFH also met with staffers of Senators Jim Bunning and Mitch McConnell along with those representing Congressmen Ben Chandler, Geoff Davis, Brett Guthrie, Hal Rogers and John Yarmuth.