An Invitation To Participate In The Western Native Trout Initiative – Become a Western Native Trout Initiative Partner!
With few exceptions, native trout populations have declined across the West, usually due to two general factors: habitat alteration and introduced non-native fish. Remaining native trout populations are often isolated from one another and exposed to increased predation, competition, and hybridization. Continued human population growth, coupled with potential habitat damage from a warming climate, has increased the urgency of securing and improving the status of western native trout.
The 15 native trout addressed by the Western Native Trout Initiative have long been considered as biologically, recreationally and culturally important. While local conservation actions have occurred, overall range-wide recovery and coordinated management of western native trout generally has been addressed in a fragmented approach.
The Western Native Trout Initiative (WNTI) provides a new perspective and impetus to improve the return on investment of the time, money and manpower dedicated to native trout conservation over the next decade. WNTI is a collaborative, multi-state approach, that requires the involvement of a wide range of partners – from private individuals to conservation –minded organizations and corporations.
The Western Native Trout Initiative is endorsed by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and is a recognized as a National Fish Habitat Partnership by the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.
Become a WNTI Partner and you will have the opportunity to play a key role in guaranteeing our native trout heritage in America. WNTI Partners are the keystone for on-the-ground projects as well as being the local eyes and ears of the partnership. WNTI Partners will receive and be provided information that is important to native trout management in your area, as well as across the West. You will be listed on the WNTI web-site and receive progress reports on WNTI actions.
- The mission of WNTI is to serve as a key catalyst for the implementation of conservation or management actions, through partnerships and cooperative efforts that result in improved species status, improved aquatic habitats, and improved recreational opportunities for native trout anglers.
- The WNTI is committed to actively engaging Partners to increase the level of funding available to native trout protection, management and improvement projects.
Your obligations as a Western Native Trout Initiative Partner are simple - we want to provide you with information on issues affecting the future of western native trout that you can share with others and use to determine a course of action that supports your own organizations’ philosophy, objectives and objectives. Whether it is becoming involved with a local native trout enhancement project, providing funding or support for a important state or regional trout habitat project, joining the WNTI Partners Council, or helping to seek Congressional funding for the Initiative, your decision to invest in, and support the future of western native trout is vital to their survival.
Enclosed with this invitation is a copy of the Western Native Trout Initiative Plan for Strategic Actions, an informational brochure and a self–addressed stamped envelope to use when you sign and return your Partnership agreement.
Join today and together we can secure a place for western native trout now, and into the future!
Support the conservation, protection and enhancement of western native trout and the Mission, Goals and Objectives of the Western Native Trout Initiative. Please add us to the list of WNTI Partners.