Angling for Conservation Success: Working with Trout Unlimited

South Mountain Partnership Webinar 1 July 24, 2012

About Trout Unlimited

Mission: To conserve, protect, and restore North Americas coldwater fisheries and their watersheds 140,000 members organized TUs Conservation Model into over 400 chapters and 37 state councils Active membership; 650,000+ volunteer hours/year 150 staff in over 50 locations

Trout Unlimited In Pennsylvania

12,000 + members 50 chapters Average chapter membership = 200 Range = 31 to 1,047 One state council
www.patrout.org

Trout Unlimited in the South Mountain Region

8 southcentral region chapters Overlapping: chapters Cumberland Valley Adams County Falling Spring
www.tu.org/about-us/councilchapter-contacts
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TU and Private Land ProtectionWhy?

Mission link Private land and trout habitat Grassroots experience Emphasis in strategic plan Policy on land conservation TU not a land trust Will serve as technical and financial assistant Position on access
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TUs Land Protection Project

Partnerships with land trusts to protect and restore Native and wild trout is the focus Voluntary access pursued where possible Three sets of resources: 1. Grant funding 2. Grassroots support 3. Technical assistance

TU Resource: Grant Funding

Embrace-A-Stream Stream restoration and barrier removal

http://www.tu.org/conservation/watershed-restoration-home-rivers-initiative/embrace-a-stream
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TU Resource: Grant Funding

Coldwater Land Conservancy Fund Pilot: Brook trout in the Chesapeake Bay watershed Land trusts & agencies eligible Covers transaction and stewardship costs 1:1 match required; land/ easement value counts 5 selected for funding so far.
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TU Resource: Grant Funding

Coldwater Land Conservancy Fund, Contd Many involve or propose to involve TU chapters 2012 funds still available $8,000 max Apps accepted on rolling basis until 7/31/12 Expanding Funds scope in future

CLCF Example: East Branch Owego Creek, NY

Partnering with Finger Lakes Land Trust 4,000 of frontage on East Branch A best for protection brook trout watershed NYSDEC has committed to purchase Public Fishing Rights, holds PFRs on adjacent lands Restoration opportunity Would not move forward without grant

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CLCF Example: Outreach in VAs Piedmont

Partnering with Piedmont Environmental Council Targeted mailing to landowners along brook trout streams Offering protection and restoration help Several have come forward CLCF funding as leverage to enhance: Easement restrictions Land management

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TU Resource: Members, Chapters, and Councils

Restoration and stewardship work Knowledge of landowners, opportunities and priorities Advocacy Funding assistance

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TU Chapters as Beneficiaries?
Third party rights in conservation and access easements. Not an easement holder; no obligation to enforce Sample Rights: Right to approve amendment Right to approve transfer Right to prior consultation Right to exercise holders rights should holder fail to do so Other: habitat restoration, access improvements, signage?
http://conserveland.org/modelconservationeasements; http://conserveland.org/modeleasements
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TU Resource: Technical Assistance

Landowner outreach Strategic conservation planning: Conservation Success Index Habitat project coordination Fundraising

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Catawissa Creek, Schuylkill/Columbia Counties

Cattie on the mend from AMD soon to be a world class trout stream Great habitat; large tracts; little development pressure (for now) New Rivers Conservation Plan Interest in getting ahead of the curve, promoting conservation
Tour Workgroup ID Outreach Nudge
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Mixing and Matching Resources: A Hypothetical

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Ag Easement (County) Conservation Easement (Land Trust)

Fishing Access Agreement (PFBC)

South Mountain grant? Beneficiaries?
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TU Resource: Land Conservation Handbooks

www.tu.org/easternlandprotection/tools-resources
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Thank you!
Kevin Anderson kanderson@tu.org 703.284.9420

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