92nd Annual mafwa Directors MEETING AGENDA

92nd Annual MAFWA Directors' Meeting Agenda

June 21–24, 2026

Lake Okoboji Resort & Conference Center, Iowa

Location & Lodging

Overnight accommodations are available at the Lake Okoboji Resort & Conference Center, 1405 U.S. Highway 71, Okoboji, Iowa 51355, at a discounted rate of $160/night plus tax and resort fees. A limited number of rooms will also be available at the prevailing government rate to eligible individuals. To make a reservation, call (712) 332-2161 and indicate you are with the MAFWA Group.

Sunday, June 21, 2026

2:00 – 6:00 PM               Conference Registration Desk Open

4:00 – 6:00 PM               MAFWA Executive Committee- Room: Pebble Beach South

6:30 – 8:30 PM               Welcome Reception - Room: Sandhill

Sponsored by: Brandt Information Services

8:30 – 11:00 PM               Hospitality Suite Open   Room: Great Room

Sponsored by: Southwick Associates

Monday, June 22, 2026

7:00 AM – 4:00 PM        Conference Registration Desk Open

7:00 – 8:00 AM              Attendee Breakfast   Room: Bayhill

Sponsored by: National Wild Turkey Federation

8:00 – 9:00 AM             Welcome to Iowa   Room: St. Andrews

• Posting of the Colors, Iowa DNR Law Enforcement Honor Guard
• Welcome to Iowa – Pete Hildreth, Division Administrator
• Opening Remarks – Kayla Lyon, Iowa DNR Director

Keynote Presentation: Mike Hawkins, Iowa DNR Fisheries Building Resilience: Rewilding an Altered Landscape through Partnerships

In the heavily altered landscape of the Midwest, the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed stands as a testament to the power of collaborative conservation. For over 50 years, this region has served as a living laboratory for "rewilding" within a working landscape, proving that ecological integrity and economic vitality are inextricably linked. This presentation explores how myriad partnerships — spanning local fundraising, state agencies, and private citizens — have successfully implemented extensive land protection, wetland and shallow lake restoration, and urban conservation strategies. Long-term monitoring data reveals a clear trajectory of recovery: improved water clarity, decreased nutrient levels, and positive shifts in aquatic plant life and fisheries assemblages. The Iowa Great Lakes experience offers a scalable model for Directors across the Midwest, demonstrating how aggressive, partnership-driven conservation can build ecological resilience and restore natural function to our region's most premiere resources.

9:00 – 10:00 AM            State Hot Topics - IL, IN, IA, KS

Each State Director will describe a recent agency challenge. 15 min. each.

10:00 – 10:30 AM           Refreshment Break   Room: Pebble Beach North

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM     State Hot Topics -KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND

12:00 – 1:30 PM              Awards Luncheon

MAFWA and AMFGLEO Awards Ceremony - Moderator: Pete Hildreth, IA DNR  Room: Bayhill

Sponsored by: Canadian NAWMP Partners & Fall Flights

Sponsored by: Ducks Unlimited Awards:

1:30 PM                            MAFWA Directors   Room: St. Andrews Room 

1:30 – 1:45 PM                 AFWA Annual Report - Ron Regan, Executive Director, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

1:45 - 2:00 PM                Fall Flights, Andy Readeke, DU Canada

2:00 - 2:45 PM               State Hot Topics: OH, SD, WI 

2:45 - 3:00 PM               Refreshment Break   Room: Pebble Beach North

Sponsored by: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

3:00  –4:30 PM               MAFWA Federal Partners Session - Room: St. Andrews

• US Fish & Wildlife Service
• USDA Forest Service
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
• USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units

4:30 – 5:00 PM            Break to change for dinner & tour

5:00 – 6:00 PM            Dinner | Room: Bayhill

Sponsored by: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

6:30 – 9:00 PM            Queen 2 Lake Okoboji Boat Tour and Dessert

                      9:30 – 11:00 PM            Hospitality Suite Open   Room: Great Room

Sponsored by: Safari Club International

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

7:00 AM – 4:00 PM    Conference Registration Desk Open

7:00 AM                       Bus loads for breakfast and tour

7:15 – 7:45 AM            Attendee Breakfast   At the hatchery

Sponsored by: National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)

7:45 AM – 12:00 PM   Field Tour: Midwest Resilience

• Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery – Kim Hawkins (Iowa DNR)
• Anglers Bay – Chris and Mike on buses (Iowa DNR)
• Moore Slough – John Smelzer (Spirit Lake Protection Association) and Joe McGovern (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation)
• Shallow Lakes Initiative – West Hottes Lake/Kettleson Hogsback Complex – Chris Larue & Mike Hawkins (Iowa DNR)
• West Okoboji Wetlands Complex WMA/WPA & Okoboji View Golf Course – Chris Larue & Mike Hawkins (Iowa DNR)

12:00 – 1:00 PM         Luncheon at Maser Monarch Lodge, Dickinson CCB

Sponsored by: Bass Pro Shops

1:00 – 1:15 PM            Iowa’s County Conservation Board System - Lee Sorenson, Dickinson CCB Director

1:15 – 2:00 PM           MAFWA Technical Working Committee Reports - Maser Monarch Lodge

●       Please read reports prior to attending as this time is only for discussion of action items and any questions related to the reports

• Private Lands
• Public Lands
• F&G Law Enforcement Officers
• F&W Health
• CWD
• Deer & Wild Turkey
• Furbearer
• Wildlife Diversity
• Climate Change
• R3 & Relevancy
• CITES
• Conservation Social Science/Human Dimensions
• Feral Swine

2:00 – 5:00 PM            MAFWA Directors Executive Session - Masers Monarch Lounge (Closed Session, Invitation Only); non-Directors                                               return to hotel

Evening                        Dinner on your own

           8:00 – 11:00 PM            Hospitality Suite Open   Room: Great Room

Sponsored by: DJ Case & Associates

Tuesday afternoon while the Directors are in a closed session may allow time for these other activities that attendees and guests can do on their own. 

Tours & Other Activities in the Area:

• Okoboji Classic Cars — https://okobojicc.com/
• Maritime Museum — https://arnoldspark.com/maritime-museum/
• Iowa Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame
• Arnold's Park — https://arnoldspark.com/
• Winchester Museum — https://thewinchesterstore.com/
• Sherwood Forest — https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Dickinson/Park/Sherwood-Forest
• Fisherman's Factory Outlet — https://www.purefishing.com/
• Freda Haffner Kettlehole State Preserve — https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/freda-haffner-preserve/

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

7:00 – 9:00AM             Conference Registration Desk Open 7:00 – 8:00 AM — Attendee Breakfast   Room: Bayhill

Sponsored by: The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)

8:00AM – 12:00 PM      MAFWA Business Meeting, Shannon Lott (MI), MAFWA President - Room: St. Andrews

10:00 – 10:30  AM         Coffee Break   Room: Pebble Beach North

12:00 PM                        Conference Adjourns; Lunch on your own

12:00 - 2:00 PM            CEF Board of Trustees Annual Meeting - Room: Sandhill