Vita of William H. Herke

B.S. (Zoology) Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa - 1956

M.S. (Zoology) Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa - 1957  (Thesis title: Area sampling census method and summer cover utilization by the bobwhite in southern Iowa.)

Ph.D. (Zoology) Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana - 1971  (Dissertation title:  Use of natural, and semi-impounded, Louisiana tidal marshes as nurseries for fishes and crustaceans.)

MILITARY SERVICE - U.S. Air Force - 1950-54  (S/Sgt upon honorable discharge)

Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Vero Beach, Florida - 1958-62.  Evaluated water control, dredge and fill, and power plant projects for their effects on fish and wildlife.

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Vero Beach, Florida - 1962-63-Duties similar to above.

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Baton Rouge, Louisiana - 1963-November 1993-- Assistant (or Acting) Leader and Adjunct Professor, Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, LSU--Direct graduate students and Research Associates in research on estuarine-dependent fishes and crustaceans; at the peak, the total number of employees and graduate students concurrently supervised was 22. Taught courses in Fisheries Research Techniques, Selected Fisheries Problems, and Seminars.    Have directed completion of 22 theses and authored, or co-authored, numerous scientific or technical articles and comprehensive reports.

National Biological Survey, Baton Rouge, Louisiana - November 1993-May 1994--Entire Unit was transferred to the NBS; my position was unchanged.

Retired - May 1994.

Maintaining active involvement in professional organizations, with continued interest in and knowledge of current research, and serve as a volunteer and unpaid fisheries consultant in various organizations.

Served in the offices below:

Technical Committee member for the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana since 1987; member Board of Directors since 1992.

Citizens for a Clean Environment -- Board member since 1992.

Louisiana Wildlife Federation -- Board member, and member of the Fisheries Management and Policy Committee, since 1992.

Citizen’s Advisory Panel, Borden Chemical and Plastics LP – 1996-1998

MEMBERSHIPS

American Fisheries Society
American Farmland Trust
American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists
American Rivers
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana - Board Member
Environmental Defense
Estuarine Research Federation
Gulf Estuarine Research Society
Gulf Restoration Network
Louisiana Chapter, American Fisheries Society
Louisiana Wildlife Biologists Association
Louisiana Wildlife Federation - Board Member
Natural Resources Defense Council
Nature Conservancy

Certified Fisheries Scientist-American Fisheries Society

Elected a Fellow--American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists

Past Secretary, Treasurer, and President-La. Wildlife Biologists Association

Past Secretary and President-La. Chapter, American Fisheries Society

Member--Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor Society of Agriculture

Life member--Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Quality Performance Award-1983

Best popular article, 1984-Louisiana Wildlife Biologists Association

Certificate of Appreciation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1985

1986 Governor's Award, Conservationist of the Year--presented by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, the National Wildlife Federation, and Sears, Roebuck and Co. "For outstanding contributions to the wise use and management of Louisiana's natural resources."

Best scientific fisheries article, 1987-Louisiana Wildlife Biologists Association.

Best scientific fisheries article, 1994-Louisiana Wildlife Biologists Association

Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association, 2001 Arthur Van Pelt Award for Lifetime Wildlife Conservation Achievement

1979-1983.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sabine National Wildlife Refuge.  $310,000 plus approximately $200,000 in logistical support.  Work force: 7-11.

1981-1986.  U.S. Soil Conservation Service, Cameron-Creole Watershed Study.  $1 million funding plus approximately $200,000 in construction for the research.  Work force:  7-11.

1983-1985.  Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, study on juvenile shrimp in weired and unweired ponds.  $52,000.  Work force: 1-4.

1987-1988.  National Audubon Society, study to evaluate fish and crustacean passage past a rock weir. $3,900. Work force: 2.

1990-1992. Plains Oil Co., for fisheries work on Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. $20,000. Work force: 4.

1991-1994. Leslie Glasgow Memorial Scholarship (for student of my choice). $30,000. Work force: 3.

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in reference to Lake Pontchartrain hurricane protection studies.  1979-81. 

Florida Saltwater Fisheries Study and Advisory Council:  Consultant regarding life history and ecological requirements of the Atlantic croaker.  1980-81.

Steering Committee member for the cooperative agreement (between the U.S. Minerals Management Service and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources) to evaluate the environmental impacts of structural marsh management practices on coastal Louisiana wetlands.  1988-1991.

Technical Committee member for the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana since 1987; member Board of Directors since 1992.

Louisiana Wildlife Federation -- Member of the Fisheries Management and Policy Committee since 1992.

GRADUATE STUDENT THESES DIRECTED -- 22, listed on the "Bibliography" page in this website

PUBLICATIONS -- A list is shown on the "Bibliography" page in this website.