Awards

These rules govern how a participant may earn awards in the

GDAS S.M.P.  Receiving an award is not a recognition of a

solitary feat.  The aquarist will have demonstrated knowledge

and skill over the entire life cycle and multiple generations.

There are three ways to achieve special recognition.

Stewardship Award

Is awarded when a participant reaches 100 points.

Three and Three Award

Is awarded when a participant has distributed fry three times

for each of three registered species.  This award may be won

additional times for other trios of species.

Fibonacci Award

Is awarded to participants that keep a registered species for a total

number of years corresponding to each Fibonacci number beginning

with three.  Fibonacci numbers are a sequence of numbers where

each number after the second one is the sum of the two

preceding numbers.  (0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21...)  Fibonacci numbers

are found in nature in the number of spirals in pine cones and

sunflowers, the shape of a Nautilus shell and the branching

of a sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica).  Since it is a sequence, a

venerable aquarist could receive this award an infinite number

of times.

If this important program appeals to you,

and if you have the required dedication and a

modicum of experience, then the Species

Maintenance Program may be for you.

Please come to a GDAS meeting and ask

members about the program, and feel free

to seek out our point man, the S.M.P.

 Chairman, Mr. Philip Kukulski.