issues and conservation

Trout Unlimited Spearheads Grassroots Conservation Efforts in Oregon

By Alan Moore

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hat makes Trout Unlimited unique? It's that our national "protect, reconnect, restore and sustain" conservation agenda is coupled with--and literally grounded in--real people who live and work to support TU's mission in the very same areas that the fish live, or lived, or could be living better.

Below you'll find a short summary of activities for TU's Oregon chapters. Contact information and website links are included. Each chapter is its own organization, with its own board, leadership, and project docket. Funds raised by chapters stay within the chapters and support their projects, events, and other activities.

Together, the chapters comprise the Oregon Council of Trout Unlimited, served by a separate board chaired by Tom Wolf. (See the Oregon TU Council Blog.)

There is always a need for help so we can achieve our vision to "ensure that robust populations of native and wild coldwater fish once again thrive within their North American range, so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters."

Take a look at the chapter information below and contact your local chapter if you can lend a hand. If there isn't a chapter or a habitat project in your area and you're interested in starting one or both, contact getinvolvedoregon@tu.org with your ideas and questions and we'll see what we can figure out.

Working together makes for some serious conservation horsepower.

Deschutes Chapter (Bend/Redmond/Prineville)

The Deschutes Chapter has new local leadership for 2009. This chapter is the host for TU's 20th national Home Rivers Initiative.

The chapter is excited to join forces with other great local organizations that are leading the charge to realize the full potential of a restored, reconnected, and protected Deschutes River Basin. Activities, events, and outings are sponsored by the Chapter and its partners throughout the year in the unparalleled watersheds of the Upper Deschutes, Crooked, Metolius rivers and Whychus Creek. Check the Calendar Page

1. Website: http://www.deschutestu.org/
2. Contact: Ted Brownrigg, president. tedbrownrigg@bendbroadband.com

Clackamas River Chapter (Portland Metro Eastside)

The Clackamas River Chapter works with partners on restoration projects in its home watershed. The chapter is also a major presence for TU in the Upper Deschutes Basin, working in concert with the Deschutes Land Trust, Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, and others on restoration projects in the Metolius, Whychus Creek, and other areas.

Other activities are a Youth Fly Fishing Camp (July 16, 17, 18, 19; see chapter website for details) and Camp Polk Meadow Native Planting, Whychus Creek (October 16, 17, 18).

1. Website: http://clackamasrivertu.org
2. Contact: Dick Hollenbeck, president. dickhollenbeck@aol.com

Tualatin Valley Chapter (Portland Metro Westside)

A couple of years ago or so, the Tualatin Valley Chapter adopted the Necanicum River as its "home water" restoration project, working with partners such as the North Coast Land Conservancy, ODFW, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

With several ongoing project sites in conjunction with TU National, the TVTU Chapter is always looking for warm bodies to help on its projects. Couple a day of stream stewardship with a day of beachcombing, steelheading, or sea-run cutthroat fishing. What's better than that?

1. Website: http://www.tvtroutunlimited.blogspot.com/
2. Contact: Mike Gentry, president. MichaelGentry04@comcast.net

McKenzie/Upper Willamette Chapter (Eugene/Springfield)

If you treasure wild trout and salmon in the mid-Willamette Valley--or anywhere else you can find them--the McKenzie/Upper Willamette Chapter may be the place for you because this chapter covers some ground. Mid-Coast, South Coast, North Coast, Eastside, Westside, high lakes, rivers, estuaries or headwaters--you never know where they'll pop up next!

Chapter events, activities and conversation share space on the Oregon Fly Fishing Blog--a tremendous resource for info on the McKenzie and just about anywhere else.

1. Contact: Matt Stansberry, Outreach Coordinator. mattstansberry@gmail.com

Middle Rogue Steelheaders (Grants Pass)

The name says it all . . . almost. Salmon are part of our mission, too, as are resident trout.

The Middle Rogue Steelheaders has an ambitious agenda of restoration, protection, and fishery enhancement for the bountiful Rogue River Basin. This agenda is funded mostly through one event--a fall Salmon Derby. If you happen to be in the Rogue Valley in September, give them a call and stop by. Bring a fly rod, spinning rod, casting rod, drifting rod, or even a tie rod. There are no rules on what to fish with as long as it's legal. A passion for fish and the great Rogue River is all you need. This year's Derby is Sept. 11-12 (see chapter website for tickets, donations, info)

For other activities, see the chapter Calendar Page

1. Website: http://www.rogue-steelheaders.org/
2. Contact: Chuck Closterman, president. fishon2@charter.net

Alan Moore is Trout Unlimited's Northwest Director of Habitat Programs

Uploaded 05/24/2009.

Trout Unlimited is celebrating its 50th year.

Fall River, one of the Deschutes Council rivers.

Volunteers at Wychus Creek.

Tualatin Valley Chapter at Gold Lake.

The McKenzie/Upper Willamette Chapter plants trees on the McKenzie River.

The Middle Rogue Steelheaders are active in the Rogue basin.