In April of 2016, Jackson Hole Trout Unlimited helped launch the Trout Unlimited Snake River Headwaters Home Rivers Initiative – an ambitious effort to leverage TU’s long history of successful conservation work in the Jackson Hole area and increase our capacity to complete restoration and reconnection work on an even larger scale to ensure that this unique native cutthroat trout fishery remains intact and thrives long into the future.
The Snake River Headwaters HRI aims to restore and protect the headwaters of the upper Snake River and its native trout fishery in partnership with local community members and agency partners. The HRI will build on the capacity of our active Jackson Hole Trout Unlimited chapter and engaged membership in and around Jackson Hole by developing and implementing high-priority restoration projects to benefit native trout and their habitats.
Our strategies include:
- Stream reconnection by removing barriers to cutthroat trout migration corridors
- Habitat restoration to improve stream health and water quality
- Watershed leadership through the development of a conservation strategy for the upper Snake and its tributaries
- Youth education through the Adopt-a-Trout Program, which teaches local students about the watershed and inspires future conservationists
The JHTU chapter is especially grateful for the support of the many local businesses, guides, outfitters, individuals and lodges, both here and internationally, that have enabled us to partner with Trout Unlimited to expand our coldwater fisheries work in Jackson Hole through the HRI. “In all my years at Trout Unlimited, I have never seen a chapter step up to protect their home waters like JHTU is doing,” said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “JHTU is setting a model of collaboration and leadership that will guarantee that our children will be able to fish for robust populations of wild and native fish in the Headwaters of the Snake.”
Leslie Steen, Wyoming State Director, created this effort with a broad suite of partners. Steen has lived in Jackson Hole since 2007 and brings extensive experience in fisheries, nonprofits, partnerships, outreach, and education, including past board service on JHTU and current service on the Wyoming Water Association board. Since its 2016 launch, the Snake River Headwaters HRI has reconnected over 36 miles and restored 14.5 miles of streams, invested $9.2 million into projects, and reached 1,525 students through education efforts.
Snake River Headwaters Project Information:
Please visit our Snake River Headwaters Initiative webpage and TU’s project microsite for more in-depth descriptions and photos, or contact Kole Stewart, Snake River Headwaters Senior Project Manager.
Snake River Headwaters Advisory Board:
The Snake River Headwaters Advisory Board is a group of influential anglers and conservationists committed to the future of cold, clean, fishable water in the Snake River headwaters. Advisory board members help to advance the goals of the Snake River Headwaters Initiative by inspiring a culture of philanthropy, engagement and awareness around coldwater fisheries conservation needs in Jackson Hole. The advisory board complements the already successful efforts of the local Jackson Hole TU chapter board by working with TU staff to identify new prospects and opportunities.
Bill Egan
Alex Maher
Clay Moorhead
Phoebe Muzzy
Bob Paulson
Steve Ryan
Bob Strawbridge
Bill Waterman
Missy Whelan