Trout Unlimited

National monuments are more than just designations on a map—they are public lands that provide world-class hunting and fishing opportunities. Places like Browns Canyon in Colorado, Rio Grande del Norte in New Mexico, and the recently designated Sáttítla Highlands in northern California were all protected as national monuments through the Antiquities Act. This landmark law, signed by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, has been used by eighteen Presidents—nine Republicans and nine Democrats—to permanently protect some of our nation’s rarest and most extraordinary landmarks, landscapes, historic and cultural values, as well as incredible fishing and hunting opportunities. Read more about the Antiquities Act and its importance for hunters and anglers: https://bit.ly/3QYo9qM

This week, news broke that members of Congress are considering selling off public lands in the budget reconciliation package. But we aren't going to just sit back and let it happen. TU’s Sam Davidson and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Joel Weltzien met with members of Congress this week to defend our public lands. Learn more about how we’re safeguarding our lands and waters at tu.org/publiclands.

“It’s a blessing to have this work, to employ guys down there because they have families they are supporting,” said Paul Light, the owner/operator of Western Construction. “And it’s a blessing to restore that creek that will benefit generations to come.” Paul’s company is doing the major dirt work on the Resurrection Creek restoration project in the Chugach National Forest. Trout Unlimited partnered with a diverse group of public and private entities to restore 2.2 miles of stream and over 74 acres of riparian habitat that was significantly degraded by historic hydraulic and placer mining. Restoration will bring back healthy spawning and rearing habitat for all five species of Pacific salmon, rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden in an ecologically and recreationally important area. Learn more about Paul and the project: https://bit.ly/43YDYFJ

“Media reports that lawmakers are considering the sale of public lands to help pay for a budget reconciliation bill are extremely troubling,” said Chris Wood, CEO and President of Trout Unlimited. “Public lands are the backyard of the little guy, but if we sell our public lands to the highest bidder, they will become the playground of the wealthy. We thank Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Public Lands in Public Hands Act. This bill will guard against these types of ham-handed schemes to sell America’s public lands. We ask their colleagues in Congress to join hunters and anglers across the country to oppose selling off our public lands.” We need your help. Stand for public lands today: https://bit.ly/4ceqOq9

Responsible energy development and conservation need not be mutually exclusive, but it depends on smart, balanced management of public lands. Rolling back key oil & gas reforms will put our coldwater streams at risk. Learn more about speculative leasing and responsible energy development: https://bit.ly/4iVadKt

We had an incredible weekend learning, laughing, exchanging ideas, and sharing our love for fish, bugs, and beautiful places at our Rockies Regional Rendezvous. East Coasters: Don't miss out on your opportunity to do the same. Join us April 25-27 for a weekend on the Potomac: https://bit.ly/43rXYNq

After a nearly 36-year career as a state fisheries biologist, Larry Mohn wasn’t done working for Virginia’s rivers. Instead, he took his expertise and started Shenandoah Streamworks, where he's helped complete more than 20 projects with TU, from reshaping Mossy Creek’s meanders to removing a dam on Wilson Creek. His decades of experience in fisheries science make him an invaluable partner in designing projects that restore habitat, improve water quality, and support healthy trout populations. “We put two big bends back into the stream,” Larry said of a recent project on Mossy Creek. “My son went back to fish it six months later and he said there were fish on every new structure.” That kind of impact isn’t just good for trout—it creates local jobs, strengthens outdoor economies, and boosts the health of Virginia’s waterways. Read more about his work: https://bit.ly/4cdrsnB

Public lands are key to America’s sporting legacy. There is no opportunity for productive fishing or hunting if there are no productive lands and waters in which to sling a line, spot and stalk or swing an over-under. Bottom line. For decades, anglers and hunters have conserved our remaining hunting grounds and trout streams by supporting policies that safeguard public land strongholds for fish and wildlife. But threats are emerging to reverse protections of some of our country’s most cherished places and even dispose of hundreds of millions of acres of public lands. Both ideas are bad for anglers, hunters and anyone whose livelihood or lifestyle depends on public lands, from the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine to the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, and the millions of honey holes, secret spots and places of personal refuge in between. Read more about these emerging threats and take action to stand up for public lands: https://bit.ly/420eRQ0

Young or old, the dogs of TU are always pups at heart when they're exploring our rivers and streams. Happy #NationalPuppyDay 🐶 🐟 🐕 📷: Leo, Marty, Lander, Remi, Charlie, Pants, Ziggy, Lincoln & Rooster, Jack

Restoration work in Oregon would be a challenge without local businesses like Capitan Forestry. The Grande Ronde and North Fork of the John Day headwaters are not only critical habitat for steelhead, redband trout, bull trout, and Chinook salmon—they’re also incredible places to fish. Capitan Forestry's project collaboration with TU in these watersheds has helped restore wetland and meadow systems that support both fish and communities. Their crews have taken on riparian plantings, hand-based in-stream wood placement, and beaver dam analogues—all key tools for keeping these headwater ecosystems healthy and resilient. “Capitan believes in creating healthy forest ecosystems—a place where plants, animals, and people call home,” said Crystal Rivera. “Recognizing that headwater systems are integral to overall forest health, Capitan expanded its capacity to the benefit of TU, multiple fish species, anglers, not to mention our employees.” This work isn’t just about restoring streams—it’s about powering local economies by creating jobs, supporting local contractors, and strengthening rural communities that depend on healthy rivers and forests. Read more about Captain Forestry's work: https://bit.ly/41YX5fU