MICHAEL LAWLER SMITH

MICHAEL LAWLER SMITH currently pursues native brook trout restoration efforts in Virginia. He also occasionally does freelance writing and natural resources communications consultation. His freelance articles have appeared in such publications as AMERICAN ANGLER and FLY FISHERMAN. In the past, he has also published numerous OpEd pieces on conservation in the Roanoke TIMES. Michael served more than 28 years with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service prior to retiring in 2003. Before that he was an information officer with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. His media-related duties over the years included public service radio, television and film production. Michael also produced brochures, special reports and outreach campaigns, and wrote press and feature releases. He was also the agency’s principal speechwriter in the 1980s. Michael concluded his career as the Service’s Deputy Assistant Director for External Affairs, overseeing day-to-day operations of all its media and congressional activities. He can be reached at Info@nativefishcoalition.org