The Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA) will hold their regular meeting at Route 40 Elementary School on Thursday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m. The guest speaker will be Dave Kazyak, Graduate Student, Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Mr. Kazyak will share information from his ongoing research on brook trout in the Savage River watershed in his program titled “The Savage River PIT Tagging Project”. The public is welcome to attend.

Kazyak is currently working on a large-scale collaborative project using PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tags to understand the life history and population ecology of native brook trout in our area. According to Kazyak, “PIT tags are basically little microchips that give off unique radio signals when near an energized antenna, the same technology used to identify dogs and cats”. Kazyak’s research is addressing key knowledge gaps identified by fishery managers, such as growth rates and longevity of brook trout in our area.

Dave Kazyak grew up in central Maryland and attended Frostburg State University where he earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries. Afterwards, he attended the University of Maine where he spent time researching the ecology of coastal populations of brook trout. He has also spent time conducting amphibian research in the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park.

The SRWA is a group of local landowners and other citizens dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rural nature and natural resources of the Savage River watershed. Members assist interested landowners and public land managers with environmental stewardship efforts and educational outreach. Anyone who is concerned about the Savage River watershed is invited to join. SRWA meetings are generally held at Route 40 Elementary School on the third Thursday of  odd numbered months, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The school is located at 17764 National Pike, a few miles west of Frostburg. For more information, persons may contact SRWA through email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by telephone at 301-689-7156. The SRWA is a non profit charitable organization. Donations may be sent to: Savage River Watershed Association, PO Box 355, Frostburg, MD 21532.