The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will treat Carolina Trout Pond in Richmond, Shippee Sawmill Pond in Foster, and Meshanticut Lake in Cranston on July 15 for invasive aquatic plants including variable water milfoil, fanwort, water chestnut, and sacred lotus using EPA-approved herbicides that will not harm fish.
The Conservation Angler announced Ed Fuhrken, owner of Waters West Fly Fishing Outfitters in Port Angeles, Washington, as an Ambassador in its new program connecting anglers, guides, and community leaders to advance wild steelhead conservation through the Northern Crown Initiative.
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies commended the White House's Make America Beautiful Again Report, praising Secretary Burgum and Director Nesvik for enhanced coordination with State Fish and Wildlife Agencies. The report highlights expanded public access to outdoor recreation and conservation initiatives by the Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
With NOAA funding, Trout Unlimited is leading the Salmon SuperHwy partnership to restore fish passage across Oregon's coastal watersheds. The effort has helped threatened Oregon Coast coho rebound dramatically, with over 150,000 returning annually since 2021, while also improving infrastructure and supporting local communities.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reconstructing the aging Net River Dam in Baraga County through a collaborative project with Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, GEI Consultants, and MJO Contracting. Work began in late June and will be completed in fall, restoring water levels and improving wetland habitat in the 200-acre impoundment.
Alabama's Marine Resources Division deployed the 408-foot Argosy VI, a former riverboat casino, as an artificial reef 23 miles south of Orange Beach. The vessel joins the New Venture and Lulu as part of a three-ship reef program designed to enhance fishing and diving opportunities in Alabama's artificial reef zone.
Inspectors at Montana's Anaconda boat check station prevented a potential ecological disaster by decontaminating a Minnesota wake boat carrying hundreds of zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil before it could reach Georgetown Lake. FWP's aquatic invasive species bureau chief Tom Woolf emphasized the critical importance of watercraft inspections in protecting Montana's waters.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) broke ground on the Island Unit Restoration Project, which will restore 270 acres on the Skagit Wildlife Area to natural intertidal estuary habitat over two years. Brumfield Construction, Inc. will lead the project, benefiting Endangered Species Act-listed Puget Sound Chinook salmon and other wildlife species.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department installed and maintained 130 beaver dam analogs along Lone Tree Creek and Bolton Creek to improve riparian health and water quality. These structures, designed to mimic natural beaver dams, slow water flow, extend green-up periods for wildlife, reduce sediment erosion into the North Platte River, and protect trout spawning habitat.
The 408-foot Argosy VI, a former Indiana riverboat casino, will be intentionally sunk on July 1, 2026, approximately 23 nautical miles south of Orange Beach to create marine fisheries habitat. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is hosting media days for coverage of the sinking and the vessel's preparation in the Dr. Robert (Bob) Shipp Alabama Artificial Reef Zone.
Mote Marine Laboratory, Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge (CWVC), and SCUBAnauts International (SNI) collaborated to advance coral reef restoration in the Florida Keys through maintaining offshore coral nurseries, installing coral tree anchors, and removing invasive lionfish. Now in its 15th year, this partnership unites wounded veterans and student ocean stewards with Mote scientists to support reef recovery and research initiatives.
The California Fish and Game Commission adopted emergency regulations prohibiting certain fishing gear from beaches and nearshore areas to protect white sharks and reduce dangerous interactions with ocean users. The restrictions apply to hooks larger than 1.5 inches and wire leaders from Pigeon Point south to the U.S.-Mexico border, effective for 180 days.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released 2026-2027 manatee and sea turtle decals highlighting conservation partnerships. The manatee decal commemorates 25 years of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, which has rescued over 2,350 manatees. The "Protect Their Path" sea turtle decal celebrates Florida's record leatherback nesting year in 2025.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Habitat Council allocated $3.4 million to 71 habitat restoration projects for fiscal year 2026-2027, with funding from hunting and fishing license sales. Key projects include Canyon View Park Pond improvements, Little Montes Recreation Developments, and Thousand Lakes Habitat Improvement, benefiting mule deer and other wildlife across Utah.
CCA Florida volunteers, alongside FWC, the Marine Discovery Center, and the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program under UCF's Dr. Linda Walters' direction, continued oyster reef and seagrass restoration efforts in Mosquito Lagoon to improve Florida's marine habitat health.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and South Florida Water Management District plan a prescribed burn on Eagle Bay Island and Kings Bar covering up to 3,500 acres of cattail and willow vegetation. The controlled burn aims to improve habitat for fish, wildlife, waterfowl, wading birds, and the endangered Everglade snail kite while reducing wildfire threats.
The Center for Sportfishing Policy submitted formal comments to the National Marine Fisheries Service urging NOAA to withdraw the 2008 Vessel Speed Rule and adopt modern, technology-driven approaches for North Atlantic right whale conservation, including thermal imaging, acoustic monitoring, and AI-assisted detection systems.
Yamaha Rightwaters celebrated its seventh anniversary on World Oceans Day 2026, marking significant conservation achievements including 264.2 tons of debris removed, 155 million oysters re-established, and 224,000 acres of coastal land restored through partnerships with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful, Billion Oyster Project, Ducks Unlimited, and other organizations.
Michigan EGLE and the EPA announced $10 million in funding for Detroit River restoration, with the EPA providing $6.5 million and Michigan contributing $3.5 million. The funding will support contaminated sediment remediation, habitat restoration, and improved public access along the Detroit River Area of Concern.
The City of Rolla partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation through the Community Conservation Cost-Share Program to install floating wetlands at Ber Juan Lake to combat algae blooms. Three wetlands will be added annually through 2028, with Recreation Manager Andrew Smith noting the initiative aims to improve water quality, create fish habitat, and beautify the area.