TROUT UNLIMITED

Following is a quotation from the 2016 National Trout Unlimited Award Ceremony "The Spring Creek Chapter's conservation and angler science activities are more than enough to earn accolades: over 1.4 million dollars on 31 habitat improvement projects in the past 10 years, water quality monitoring, Redd count and angler surveys totaling more than 4,500 hours. However, behind all that conservation activity are the myriad was the chapter reaches into the community. The chapter is constantly hosting events and activities, including their robust Veterans Service Partnership program where hundreds of veterans have experienced the power of both healing and community.

HOW WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION
Advocacy:
Legislative Activity - Letters and testimony at state and local level
Community Outreach - Active and leadership membership in local watershed and conservation groups. Partnership with county and municipal organizations to advocate for watershed protection.
Watershed watch - Active monitoring of stream for problems such as construction protection violations and advocating for correction.
Conservation Projects
Stream bank stabilization and habitat improvement projects.
Conduct Redd counts each year, periodic angler surveys, and participation in water testing.
Annual watershed cleanup.
Streamside stewardship of prior year projects and continuing maintenance/stewardship of Spring Creek watershed.
Leadership and financial support for continuous water quality testing through the Water Resources
Monitoring Project
"Return the roots - runoff pollutes" - a program to address streamside owners to teach them the value of good streamside practices including outreach programs and example streamside projects at the homeowner level.
Outreach Programs
Table events - participation in events each year to reach out to the community, such as summer camps, Youth Service Bureau fishing events, Earth and Arbor Day events, etc.
"Youth Trout" and Trout-in-the-Classroom - programs to reach children (and adults) to teach them about the development of fish and the importance to their community.
"Buffer Buddies" - a program to reach children in the area to explain the conservation projects and the value of habitat improvement.
Veterans Service Program - an outreach program to our veterans that provides them with a fishing or fly tying program twice a month. Reaches hundreds of veterans each year with more than 40 events.
The chapter received the National Trout Unlimited “Gold Trout” Award in 2016 as the most outstanding chapter in the country. In 2024 the Chapter received 3 prestigious PATU awards, including two for two members' service contributions to PATU efforts for conservation and the Diversity Award honoring a chapter that exemplifies diversity among its members. It is vital for chapters to actively engage youth, women, and men, ensuring a vibrant and inclusive environment. Such diversity not only strengthens the chapter’s sustainability but also allows seasoned members to share their knowledge with newcomers.