Trout Unlimited

Programs: Montana trout unlimiteds exempt purpose achievements continue to include protecting and restoring trout habitat, advocating for clean water and wild fish management and educating the public on montanas fishery issues. Examples of montana tus fy 2017 accomplishments to protect water quality and quantity to benefit coldwater fisheries include:providing public education on prevention and the impact of aquatic invasive species. Pushing state agencies for greater protections against pollution posed by a copper mine proposed in the headwaters of the smith river. Educating the public and media on the importance of the u. S. Environmental protection agencys proposed rules clarifying what streams and wetlands merit protection under the federal clean water act. Montana trout unlimited strives to protect high-quality fish habitat and to restore degraded streams and watersheds. Our fy 2017 accomplishments include:funding portions of wild or native trout habitat improvement projects in the blackfoot, beaverhead, missouri, clark fork, and bitterroot river watersheds. Securing funding for a critical state grant program that funds habitat and streamflow restoration. Providing leadership to the states advisory group charged with preventing introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species by employing watercraft-inspection stations and a rapid-response program for eradication of new invaders. Healthy, abundant populations of wild trout are the best measure of montana tus success. We emphasize conservation of sustainable wild and native trout populations. Our actions the past year include. Creating the states most robust reward program to help stem illegal introductions of fish in montana waters. Partnering with utilities, agencies and other conservationists in efforts that further improvement of populations of native fish in the lower clark fork river drainage. Montana tu is first and foremost a people organization. Achieving our mission requires engaged members, supporters and partners. We strive to improve and protect the values the public treasures about rivers and trout. We protected these values in fy 2017 by: organizing and sponsoring an annual kids fly-fishing and conservation camp at georgetown lake, where we aim to start the next generation of coldwater fishery advocates. Participating in and donating to tu chapters local fundraisers and events throughout the state. Speaking to fisheries professionals, watershed groups, government advisory bodies and college students about coldwater conservation. Providing educational programs for tu chapter public meetings, and conducting workshops for volunteers on conservation advocacy, fundraising and organizational development.