Conservation

The Conservation Angler unveiled its new Ambassador Program, connecting guides, anglers, fly shop owners, and conservation leaders to protect wild steelhead across the Pacific Rim. Led by President John R. McMillan and Science Director George Pess, the initiative integrates angler science through the Northern Crown Initiative to gather long-term biological data and drive conservation action.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Inland Fisheries biologists are restoring fish habitat on Toledo Bend Reservoir by planting native eelgrass in strategic locations. Over two weeks, LDWF crews stocked 110 containers of eelgrass totaling 220 square feet near Negreet Creek and North Toledo Bend State Park, with additional weekly plantings planned.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is seeking permits to apply ProcellaCOR EC herbicide to combat invasive variable-leaf water milfoil in Messalonskee, Androscoggin, and Little Sebago Lakes. Public informational meetings are scheduled for June and treatments planned for July and August 2026.

The American Sportfishing Association's Million Pound Challenge invites ASA members nationwide to remove 1,000,000 pounds of trash from waterways this summer. Participants can organize cleanups at boat ramps, shorelines, rivers, lakes, and coastal communities, with ASA providing promotional tools and campaign visibility to showcase efforts across the country.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reminds boaters to maintain a 1,000-yard distance from endangered Southern Resident killer whales to protect them during peak boating season. Vessel noise interferes with orcas' echolocation and ability to hunt salmon. Canada has aligned similar protections requiring 1,000 meters distance, effective June 1, 2026.

California Trout and Pacific Gas & Electric removed the final fish passage barrier on Alameda Creek with NOAA Fisheries funding, allowing Central California Coast steelhead to reach spawning grounds for the first time in 50 years. The project involved relocating a PG&E natural gas pipeline and restoring 1,800 feet of stream channel, culminating nearly three decades of collaborative restoration efforts by multiple agencies and organizations.

Manatee County's $17 million restoration of Robinson Preserve, supported by NOAA Fisheries and partners including the RESTORE Council and Mote Marine Laboratory, has generated $32.7 million in economic activity and supports 264 jobs annually. The 700-acre preserve now attracts 240,000 visitors yearly and provides critical nursery habitat for snook and tarpon.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources officially opened a new 1,100-foot accessible boardwalk at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, replacing a 94-step staircase and enabling wheelchair users to experience the Upper Falls up close for the first time. The $1.6 million project, completed by OHM Advisors and ASI Environmental, was funded through DNR capital outlay and federal relief program funding from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Building Michigan Together Plan.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission officially opened the Upper Illinois River Water Trail, the first Arkansas Water Trail in Northwest Arkansas and the first to span two states. The 15.5-mile trail runs from Chamber Springs Access near Pedro through Siloam Springs Kayak Park to WOKA Whitewater Park in Oklahoma, developed in partnership with the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, City of Siloam Springs, Grand River Dam Authority, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) began planting over 350,000 bulrush plants this spring across multiple St. Johns River lakes including Lake George, Lake Dexter, Lake Woodruff, Lake Beresford, Lake Monroe, and Lake Harney to restore aquatic habitat damaged by high-water levels and tropical events.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a public meeting on May 20 at 6 p.m. in Neihart to discuss a fish barrier project on Harley Creek designed to restore native westslope cutthroat trout in the Little Belt Mountains. The project will isolate 5.5 miles of creek from non-native fish and expand the unique genetic population to reduce Endangered Species Act listing risk.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has resumed aquatic nuisance species sampling on the Colorado River for 2026, conducting weekly shoreline and water samplings between Granby and the Colorado-Utah border. The expanded efforts include partnership with River Corps, an AmeriCorps program operated by River Science, following zebra mussel discoveries in 2024 and 2025.

The Alabama Conservation Advisory Board honored Commissioner Chris Blankenship's tenure at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, recognizing his contributions to outdoor recreation expansion. Under his leadership since 2017, ADCNR invested over $525 million in improvements including state parks enhancements, beach renourishment, and acquisition of 100,000 acres for public access.

Nick Wiley has been appointed Executive Director of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, bringing over three decades of conservation experience including 30 years with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and recent service as Chief Operating Officer for Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with state and federal partners, plans to retreat Smishek Lake in May and June using EPA-registered copper-based mollusicide EarthTecQZ to eradicate remaining zebra mussels. Ben Holen, the department's aquatic nuisance species coordinator, noted that while last fall's treatment significantly suppressed the population, live mussels capable of reproduction remain, threatening downstream waters including Lake Sakakawea.

FWP proposes accepting an 82-acre island complex donation from Trust for Public Land on the upper Yellowstone River near Livingston to create Siskin Island Fishing Access Site. The site will be managed for habitat conservation and public access, with float-in camping and hunting allowed under weapons restrictions. Final approval is scheduled for June 12 by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The Coastal Conservation Association of California launched the "Help the Kelp" campaign to raise awareness about invasive Sargassum horneri, known as "Devil Weed," which threatens native kelp beds along Southern California's coast. CCA CAL president Doug Lasko and habitat committee chair Luke Burson encourage anglers, divers, and boaters to identify, report, and avoid disturbing the invasive seaweed.

Yamaha Rightwaters and Georgia Southern University, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division, released findings demonstrating that restored oyster reefs significantly enhance salt marsh growth and shoreline stability along the Georgia coast. The 19-month study showed restored sites outperformed control areas, with marsh expansion averaging 47 square meters and shoreline migration exceeding 1.4 meters seaward.

Major League Fishing's Fisheries Management Division completed a collaborative habitat restoration project at Lake Brownwood with support from Berkley Labs and Kubota USA. The initiative installed MossBack Fish Habitat Tournament Recovery Zones and engaged student volunteers from Tarleton State University's American Fisheries Society chapter to enhance fish habitat and support long-term fishery health.

The American Sportfishing Association is launching the Million Pound Challenge, a member-led initiative to remove 1,000,000 pounds of trash from U.S. waterways during National Fishing & Boating Week and throughout summer. Participants can organize local cleanups, rally community partners, and track progress through ASA's dedicated campaign hub.