Bob Temper is currently the Conservation Director of the Ozark Fly Fishers. He has been in the forefront of the fight against gravel mining in Missouri streams. Gravel mining in Missouri has become a huge issue and probably will continue to be one in the future. Bob has been our "pit bull" and has spent numerous hours on the phone, writing letters and sending emails. He has also expended many hours and accumulated many miles on the road attending meetings in the battle against this and other conservation issues in the state.

Bob has played a lead role in developing collaborative efforts with many other conservation-minded organizations throughout the state such as the Sierra Club, the Missouri Smallmouth Alliance, the Missouri Coalition for the Environment and Trout Unlimited along with several other FFF clubs. He has traveled to the state capitol to testify before the Land Reclamation Commission about the need for strong rules to protect the streams and surrounding ecology and has actively lobbied legislators in Jefferson City.

While Bob has invested many hours representing our interests through work groups, communication with political representatives and governmental agencies, he has also done a great job of keeping us, the club members, informed on the pertinent issues via phone calls, email, our club newsletter and the club website.

Bob is a Life Member of the Federation of Fly Fishers as well as a Certified Casting Instructor. He is a Past President of the Ozark Fly Fishers and has served in many other capacities for the club. He has co-chaired the Southern Council Conclave and annually co-chairs the Jerry Clark Casting Games.

It is with great pleasure that I nominate Bob Temper as the Conservationist of the Year for the Southern Council.

Respectfully submitted,

Larry Carli
President
Ozark Fly Fishers

---