CONTRIBUTORS

Abby Carlton was born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, where her and her family never shied away from a road trip or flight to a new city. She loves exploring new places she’s never been before and creating traditions around spots worth returning back to. Whether it’s making someone smile or laugh, or spending a little time out of her day helping others out, Abby is always appreciating the little things that help her choose joy each day. Abby currently lives in Oxford, Mississippi and enjoys traveling to visit her family on the Mississippi Coast and back in Louisiana, which will always be home.

Kevin Martone balances a busy professional life with his passion for the outdoors. A nationally recognized expert in mental health and the Executive Director of a national non-profit, Kevin’s business travels enable him to enjoy the local culture and landscape in states throughout America. From Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, to New England and across the South, Kevin creates opportunities in the outdoors whenever and wherever he can. Kevin spends his personal time hunting, fishing, trail running, and enjoying sunsets with his wife, Sasha, on the dock of their family pond.

Kelsi McKee has been writing poetry and stories since she was old enough to scratch words on paper. She completed her first novel when she was 18 and continues to write while balancing a full-time job in the news industry. Originally from Northwest and a graduate of Texas A&M, Kelsi has enjoyed adventuring across the country and making her way to her current home in South Carolina. Away from pen and paper, Kelsi enjoys her time on the golf course and of course, cheering on her Aggies.

Rebekah Iliff is an award-winning humor writer, author, and entrepreneur raised in the midwest living in the south. She has a knack for turning difficult topics into digestible stories and loves giving people the unexpected laugh. Her work has been featured in publications ranging from Fast Company and Forbes to Weekly Humorist and the Erma Bombeck Blog. She released her first book, Champagne for One, in February 2022. Rebekah’s favorite part of the day is sitting on the back stoop, watching the sunset with her husband and pup.

Personal website: rebekahiliff.com

IG: @rebekahiliffweaver

Book website: ChampageforOne.com

Robin Young is a senior pre-law student at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS, majoring in Criminal Justice with minors in Psychology and Intelligence and Security Studies. She is an adventure-lover at heart with a passion for the outdoors and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. In her free time, you can find Robin spending time with her dogs or her two horses named Izak and Too, hiking in a new city, playing the acoustic guitar, or at the gym. Robin is an active member of the Chi Chapter of Delta Delta Delta and the Ole Miss Equestrian Team.

Edgar Castillo is a recently retired law enforcement officer for a large Kansas City metropolitan agency. He also served in the United States Marine Corps for twelve years. Edgar was born in Guatemala, and when his family came to the U.S., his father, a new bird hunter himself, would take Edgar afield in search of roosters and bobs. Edgar’s passion lies in the uplands as he self-documents his travels across public lands throughout Kansas and the U.S., hunting open fields and prairies, walking treelines, & bustin’ through plum thickets, in a never-ending chase to hunt wild birds in wild places.

You can follow his adventures on Instagram at @hunt_birdz

AMERICA’S BOUNTIFUL WATERS

150 YEARS OF FISHERIES CONSERVATION AND THE U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

Edited by Craig Springer

Fish and Aquatic Conservation (FAC) in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is the direct descendant of the U.S. Fish Commission, founded in 1871. In 2021, FAC marks its 150th anniversary, the oldest conservation agency in history. To commemorate this milestone, USFWS has published a compelling history to celebrate the broad-thinking scientists, writers, and artists who led us through the gilded age of American ichthyology into the present day. You will read stories about fish—trout, bass, salmon, pike, muskie—and a few you have never heard of, all crafted by the USFWS biologists who know them best. America’s Bountiful Waters is biography, evocative memoir, natural history, and human history supported by fresh dramatic photography and compelling historic images from the National Fish and Aquatic Conservation Archives.

Stackpole Books