OBTU Chapter Meeting Jan, 2026

Pre-Meeting Pizza Social Hour: The doors will open at 6:00 PM for those who would like to join us for pizza and socializing at the Oak Brook Park District, Central Park West Building. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM

Speaker:  Jake, Lemon, TU Eastern Angler Science Coordinator:  Jake supports research, monitoring and inventory efforts in Michigan and Wisconsin, and water quality monitoring projects nationwide. Jake helps guide Trout Unlimited’s Coaster Brook Trout Initiative with a focus on coaster brook trout restoration in Lake Superior. Jake has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Indiana University – Indianapolis. He has been with TU for 13 years based in Rockford, Michigan.

Topic: TU “Coaster Brook Trout Initiative”:  Historically Coasters were abundant in Lake Superior’s coastal waters. Unfortunately, over fishing and habitat degradation over 150+ years has taken its toll. In 2023, TU designated the Coaster brook trout range in Southern Lake Superior as a Shared Priority Water. Since then, TU has begun the “Coaster Brook Trout Initative”, an effort to bring together the “Coaster” community to collaborate on rehabilitation of these unique fish.

Annual OBTU Elections:  Board Members: As previously announced on December 17, 2025, Art Cottrell and Steve Shapiro are nominated to serve a full 3 year term as Board Directors. Annie Vitti is nominated to serve a partial term of 1 year as Board Director. OBTU members in attendance will vote on these Board members.  OBTU members have the right to nominate additional candidates from the floor.

Officers: The elected board will vote on OBTU officers after the general membership meeting. Each of the current OBTU officers are nominated to continue for another 1 year term: Dave Carlson, President; Dan LaFave, Vice President; Cheryl Galloway, Treasurer; and Carol Hennessy, Secretary.

This is planned to be a a hybrid meeting where you can attend in person or connect online via zoom:

Attend In Person Details:

Location: Oak Brook Park District, Central Park West Building, 1500 Forrest Gate Rd., Oak Brook

Link to Central Park West Building Map

Jake will present in-person at the Oak Brook Park District. Come out and mingle with your colleagues.

Pre-Meeting Pizza Social Hour: The doors will open at 6:00 PM for those who would like to join us for pizza and socializing at the Oak Brook Park District, Central Park West Building. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM

Attend Remotely via Zoom Details:

We plan to start our Zoom meeting at 7:00PM on January 21. We will have a few announcements of upcoming events and conduct the annual election of OBTU Board members (expected to be brief). Our keynote speaker will follow the business meeting.

Link to Zoom:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86270072894?pwd=H2RYxQsXvOTvepb0HKirYnRtkSaUqt.1

Meeting ID: 862 7007 2894    Pass code: 840866

OR

Connect by phone:

Phone:    +1 312 626 6799  

Meeting ID: 862 7007 2894   Pass code: 840866