By The School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The legacy of preparing young scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to manage fisheries in Nebraska and beyond will continue even after the passing of Rick Holland, a well-known fisheries biologist, researcher and mentor.
Holland, who died April 28, led the fisheries research program at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for 30 years. The Nebraska alum also was actively engaged in graduate student mentoring as an adjunct graduate faculty member of the School of Natural Resources. He mentored more than 80 graduate students there and at three other universities who have landed careers in 30 states.
A graduate student scholarship has been created in his name through the University of Nebraska Foundation to support the education of future fisheries biologists. The School of Natural Resources scholarship is a testament to Holland’s commitment to natural resources management and student mentoring for the future.
“He was a staunch advocate for students to learn and gain as much experience as possible — inside and out of the classroom. He challenged students to learn how to navigate complex, real-world issues natural resource professionals often face,” said Mark Pegg, professor of Fish Ecology in SNR.
Holland designed research that involved graduate students, with the intent to develop them and gather needed data or understanding of Nebraska’s fisheries resources. Projects ranged from studying panfish in Sandhills lakes and walleye and white bass at Lake McConaughy to fish communities in the Platte and Missouri rivers. He also led long-term research at Harlan County Reservoir to collect data that would justify the minimum flows needed in the Niobrara River to protect water rights for conservation and recreation.
Holland didn’t seek recognition for his role in his students’ work; he always wanted the credit and recognition going to the students and professors who were most involved, said Tony Barada, a fisheries biologist at Game and Parks and another Nebraska graduate student mentored by Holland.
That humbleness spread to awards he earned, such as the Golden Pillar from the Nebraska Coop Unit and the Distinguished Service Award and the Award of Excellence from the Nebraska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Those closest to him often did not know he had received them.
“In the end, what satisfied him most was seeing research products applied to on-the-ground management, benefiting Nebraska’s natural resources while providing students valuable real-world learning experiences,” Barada said. “I think when we look around and we see the research and things going on with fisheries in the state, we’ll be able to witness Rick’s legacy live on, and that’ll be pretty cool.”
Donations to the Rick Holland Memorial Fund can be made at NUFoundation.org/rickholland.
Or gifts may be sent to the Rick Holland Memorial Fund for School of Natural Resources Graduate Student Support at the University of Nebraska Foundation, P.O. Box 82555, Lincoln, NE 68501-2555. Checks should be made payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation and include on the memo line the fund number 01167620.