Featured Replanting Our National Forests
Brook Trout are a Sign of a Clean Watershed
By Bradley Brandt | February 24, 2017
We all have them.
Hunting and fishing spots that hold special meaning for us.
A trout stream where we first learned to fly fish, and that remains our favorite even though we’ve explored many streams since.
Or maybe there’s a public forest nearby where the deer hunting just seems to get better and better.
These places change over time, because that’s what nature does.
Sometimes change comes from man.
It can be productive and positive.
Or not.
We need to know the difference, and act accordingly.
-Mary Taylor, Special Places, and the need to protect
There is a list of reasons why it is important to keep America’s forests healthy. From air quality to wildlife habitat to flood control and watershed protection. What’s more extraordinary than the benefits national forests give us are the signs from nature when these wonders start to deteriorate. We benefit when we learn to work with nature instead of against it.
That is what we’re doing with Trout Unlimited. We’re working with them to replant trees on the Catskill Mountains of New York that will help keep watersheds clean and healthy. Trout Unlimited is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. One of nature’s signs of an unhealthy watershed is seen through the presence of its inhabitants.
Brook trout are the only native trout found throughout most of the eastern U.S., but they only survive in the coldest and cleanest water. Their presence is an indicator of a healthy watershed. When their populations start to decline, it is a warning of trouble.
A lack of riparian buffers along streams and rivers has led to contaminated water sources. In an effort to protect important water sources and brook trout before they disappear forever, we are planting trees along watersheds throughout the Catskill Mountains.
These trees will provide bank stability and absorb excess rainfall, preventing flooding. Their roots will act as a buffer, removing sediments from the soil and cleansing water along the way. In addition to maintaining healthy watersheds, trees are home to numerous animals including black bears, white-tailed deer, and porcupine.
Visit Replanting our Forests to learn how you help protect watersheds and bring life back to our forests.
Read Reflecting on National Water Quality Month.
brook troutforest watershedsReplanting Our Forestswatershed
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Bradley Brandt
Manager of Forest Restoration Programs
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2 Comments
Reply
jim chesnutte
March 1, 2017 at 10:16 am
as we get offers in the mail to donate , please put these on the web site so we can get our promos. example today with donation I get 5 rose of sharron . but now I have to write a check ,which I hate to do. so I will donate today, but wont promise next promo for donation..
Jimmy
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Reply
Christine
March 1, 2017 at 2:53 pmHi Jim! Thanks for your longtime membership- we appreciate your support. Right now, we do not offer this particular offer on the web, as it is a member offer only. I’ll make sure to pass your feedback along, to see if this is something we can offer in the future. If you would like to give me a call, I’d be happy to assist you in taking advantage of this offer via phone with a credit/debit card so you don’t have to send a check. My phone number is 402-473-9635.
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