fbpx

by:

posted in:

January 21, 2025

Kelly-Parcel-FEature

Do you have any thoughts on this post?

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

Comments must be under 1000 characters.

by:

posted in:

January 17, 2025

Sporting Groups and Partners Cheer Conservation Investment in the Rio Grande Headwaters

New federal funding will support enhanced fish and wildlife habitat while tackling challenges faced by fish, wildlife, and communities along the Rio Grande in Colorado and New Mexico

Today, the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation today announced a $24.9 million investment to support water conservation and habitat restoration efforts in the headwaters of the Rio Grande. These new federal resources will ensure greater resilience to drought and water security for Colorado and New Mexico communities while significantly enhancing the quality of fish and wildlife habitat in the region for future generations of hunters and anglers.

“Today’s announcement provides a critical downpayment that will make the headwaters of the Rio Grande better prepared to handle the ongoing impacts of drought, while supporting state and local efforts to sustainably manage water supplies for future generations,” said Alexander Funk, TRCP director of water resources. “Further, this announcement shows that when Colorado and New Mexico work together, big things can happen that benefit fish and wildlife, support local economies, and tackle some of the region’s most pressing water challenges.” 

The Rio Grande is a vital resource for the region—it provides water for agriculture, which remains the backbone of the economy, communities, Pueblos, acequias, and iconic fish and wildlife, including the Rio Grande cutthroat trout and migratory waterfowl. Yet the Rio Grande is amid a long-term drought, which has placed considerable strain on surface and groundwater resources in the region. The funding announced today will help to provide a critical downpayment on addressing these challenges by investing in state and locally led efforts to encourage sustainable surface and groundwater management, update aging water storage and delivery infrastructure, and benefit fish and wildlife habitat by restoring wetlands and riparian areas.

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership worked in partnership with the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, Conejos Water Conservancy District, Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project, Colorado Open Lands, Santa Clara Pueblo, Middle Rio Grande Water Conservation District, New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, Colorado Water Conservation Board, National Wildlife Federation, American Rivers, Amigos Bravos, and others in developing and securing this federal funding for the Upper Rio Grande.

“We are thrilled to see this funding go towards these critical projects in Colorado. We are particularly proud to have played a role in assisting these projects in securing funding through Colorado Water Conservation Board funding programs including our Federal Technical Assistance Grant Program, Projects Bill funding and Water Plan Grants,” said Lauren Ris, Colorado Water Conservation Board Director, “By building upon the capacity of our local partners, we provide extra resources and guidance to navigate complex federal funding processes.”

“This funding will expand the Department’s ongoing efforts to restore riparian habitats, enhance fish passage for Species of Greatest Conservation need, and maintain outdoor recreational opportunities for New Mexicans – now and into the future,” said Michael Sloane, Director, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “We are thrilled to continue to work with our federal, state, and private partners to get these funds on the ground to benefit fish, wildlife and habitat that supports them.” 

“The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District is excited to partner with the Corrales farming community to invest in durable solutions to address infrastructure constraints and water supply shortages in their service area” said Jason M. Casuga, P.E., CEO and Chief Engineer of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. “This innovative partnership is vital for the sustainability of the Corrales farm economy and area food security.”

“This funding is a critical investment in healthy rivers and communities in the Upper Rio Grande – an often overlooked but vital watershed for drinking water, agriculture, and wildlife. The projects supported by these funds will confront and solve long-term challenges in supplying clean, safe, reliable drinking water, improving water quality for wildlife and agriculture, and reducing risks across the region from drought and overuse,” said Emily Wolf, Rio Grande Coordinator, American Rivers. “We are proud to support this work, and our local partners, in securing this funding, and applaud the Bureau of Reclamation in supporting this crucial step.”

“With $24.9 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Upper Rio Grande Basin will gain drought-resilient infrastructure, restored ecosystems, and advanced water management—ensuring sustainable water resources for generations to come,” said Amber Pacheco, Deputy General Manager, Rio Grande Water Conservation District. 

“This funding will be a catalyst for our collective work to restore the health of the San Luis Valley’s rivers and aquifers, which will improve the Upper Rio Grande Basin’s resilience in the face of changing water supplies,” said Heather Dutton, Manager, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District. “The completion of these critical projects will make a difference for the community now and for future generations!” 

“This investment will be critical for a number of headwater streams, improving the resilience of these watersheds as well as the mainstem of the Rio Grande in light of the climate stressors we are facing. The projects will benefit the communities who rely on the watersheds, acequias and traditional agriculture, and the wildlife who call this region home,” said Steven Fry, Projects and Policy Specialist, Amigos Bravos. “The Bureau of Reclamation and the Biden-Harris administration are demonstrating once again that investing in our local communities and watersheds throughout the Rio Grande remains a priority and we thank them for their continued leadership.”

“The Rio Grande is the underpinning that supports the economic and ecological health of the region. This funding allows conservation partners to critically address and relieve the challenges this habitat and community have experienced from long-term drought and sustainability insecurity,” said Tracy Stephens, senior specialist for riparian connectivity at The National Wildlife Federation. “We applaud the Bureau of Reclamation’s investment and recognition of the importance of riparian health and habitat connectivity. This funding is an important step forward in a collective effort to achieve well-connected and functional riparian corridors to protect the wellbeing of people, plants, and wildlife in the Upper Rio Grande.”

 

Learn more about TRCP’s commitment to habitat and clean water HERE


The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

by:

posted in:

Multiple Uses Balanced in Lakeview Resource Management Plan Amendment  

Key wildlife habitats will be conserved alongside ranching, wildfire prevention and invasive species management

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership applauds the Bureau of Land Management Lakeview Field Office for finalizing the long-awaited Resource Management Plan Amendment, a blueprint for balancing the needs of wildlife, recreation, ranching, and other uses across 3.2 million acres of public lands in southeastern Oregon. 

This plan represents significant collaboration between the local communities, state and federal agencies, stakeholders including hunters and anglers and members of the Tri-Corner Collaborative, and the BLM to ensure these landscapes remain intact, productive, and accessible for future generations. The RMPA demonstrates a thoughtful approach to maintaining multiple uses and conserving valuable wildlife habitats, including 415,679 acres that will now be managed to maintain wild, backcountry character, while addressing key challenges such as wildfire prevention and invasive species management. 

“This plan is a testament to the power of collaboration to achieve durable conservation outcomes,” said Tristan Henry, Oregon field representative for TRCP. “The Lakeview RMPA secures vital habitat for mule deer, pronghorn, and other species while providing certainty for public land users. This achievement reflects the input of countless Oregonians who value our public lands and outdoor traditions.” 

The TRCP is committed to supporting implementation of the Lakeview RMPA to ensure that the plan’s conservation measures translate into tangible benefits for fish, wildlife, and local communities. We look forward to working alongside the BLM, landowners, and other interests to sustain the health and resilience of Oregon’s public lands for generations to come. 

For more information on the TRCP’s work in southeast Oregon, click here

Photo credit: Robert Shea


The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

by:

posted in:

January 14, 2025

The Wall Tent and the Rifle 

In this first installment of her two-part story, TRCP’s energy policy advisor McKay Fleck writes how the equipment a family shares in the woods, and the public land that makes it all possible, binds them and adds to the long tradition of hunting camp 

In 2018, I earned my hunting guide’s license. I’d be guiding for a fledgling company that a friend established, and my dad and brother decided to drive out from Oregon to be my first clients.  I hadn’t been able to hunt with them since 2008, so this 10-year reunion was bound to be special.  

I’d been living in Wyoming for several years at this point and had reasonable success hunting on public land in my new home, so I felt confident in my ability to find them some deer. My dad had raised my older brother and me in hunting camps on Forest Service land since we were six-years-old, and one of my earliest memories is being absolutely furious that my brother was old enough to go hunting with my dad before me. But I suppose there’s no easy way to explain linear time to a toddler. 

Growing up, our hunting camps were filled with relatives, stories, and tents used long before I was born. Generations had passed down guns, gear, and hard lessons year after year until the sedimentary layers of stories had solidified into traditions that stood the test of time. We carved our tactics out of these stories, learning from the mistakes made by young hunters chasing mature deer and elk since time immemorial. Now, it was my turn to run the camp. 

Bonnie Maplesden (left) and Ryan Fleck, brother and sister, shot the same bull in 1996 outside of John Day, Oregon.

We planned the trip four months in advance. My dad and brother Adam had to figure out what they could fit in their truck and what gear I already had here in Wyoming. My dad planned to bring an old wall tent for us to sleep in, and I would have to figure out where to put it on the mountain.  

When I say “old wall tent” I mean it. It was made for service in World War I. After the Great War, it was used as a cook tent for cattle camps on their ranch in California, before trucks could make it up into the Siskiyou Mountains. The ranch sold while my dad was in college, but the old tent was still employed. My family continued to use it as a cook tent for hunting camps when they moved north into Oregon. My dad would set up a cot in the corner and be the first one up, heating the tent while coffee boiled on a rusty propane heater. The roof is perforated with starlight, a Milky Way of holes from a century of hot ash, mold, and moths. The ceiling lets in just enough light for sleepy kids to find new constellations in the ancient canvas. Despite the romantic image on clear nights, we had to put a tarp over the holey canvas to keep out the Oregon weather. 

So when I saw that my friends were selling their 10x12ft wall tent with an awning and wood stove for $300 on Facebook Marketplace, I jumped at the chance. I called my brother immediately and asked if he wanted to split the price with me, and he agreed.  

“Hey Dad, McKay’s friends are selling this really nice wall tent. Would you want to buy it?” he asked, showing our dad the advertisement.  

“Absolutely! That’s a good-looking tent for a good price,” he replied, enthusiastically.  

“Oh, too bad…it looks like it already sold. Oh well, maybe we’ll keep an eye out for one next year,” my brother lied. It was a spur of the moment decision. The tent would be a surprise early birthday gift for our dad. We had to conspire quickly. How would he be able to keep Dad from bringing the old wall tent without telling him about the new one?  

Despite our dad’s protestations, we packed him up and hauled him up the mountain amid his cries of “this doesn’t need to be an exercise in survival!” 

The friends we bought the new tent from helped me set up the camp before my family arrived. We cut lodge pole pines in the spring and stripped them of their bark, rotating the poles weekly as they dried. These friends were rendezvous reenactors; they spent decades going to traditional rendezvous wearing old fashioned handmade clothing, shooting flintlock rifles and traditional long bows. This wall tent had raised both of their kids, rode on the back of a pack string, and kept them warm through their own hunting camps. Buying this tent from them and learning how to set it up was like becoming a part of their family.  

It was sunny and warm when my dad and brother arrived at my house in Wyoming. We had the evening to catch up and organize our gear before heading up the mountain the next day. We convinced our dad that I “borrowed” a tent and that it was already set up. The next day we would drive to the camp and get settled before the opening day of hunting season.  

That’s when the storm hit. Wyoming weather at its finest dropped about 18 inches of snow overnight. Sixty mile per hour winds, sub-zero temperatures, and drifted snow weren’t going to prevent my brother and me from delivering the best birthday surprise ever! Despite our dad’s protestations, we packed him up and hauled him up the mountain amid his cries of “this doesn’t need to be an exercise in survival!” 

When we reached the BLM road that turned to the camp, we were completely snow blind. I got out of the truck and led the way on foot, bouncing back and forth between the ditches so that my brother could keep his truck on the road. Our dad was still cussing at us, trying to convince us to turn around. Tears froze on my face as I searched for the white canvas tent in the snowstorm. Finally, we arrived. Dad was still skeptical until we untied the door of the tent, and he saw the sign: “Happy Birthday Dad!!!!” He laughed as we explained how we conspired about the tent and how hard it was to keep the secret. The surprise was a success, though he insisted that the frigid winds were making his eyes and nose water. 

The new wall tent was quite the birthday surprise.

I stayed awake all night feeding the wood stove and listening to the dulcet tones of twin chainsaws snoring on the cots next to me. When it was finally time to get up and hunt, the wind had not subsided. We hiked up the draw close to camp as the sun rose, post-holing through snow drifts and looking for any deer who didn’t have enough sense to escape the mountain before the storm. By lunch time, my dad was certain that we were trying to kill him, so we made the tough decision to abandon the camp and hunt from town.  

Desperate for a backup plan, I called my friend and outfitter, Cindy. She had permission to cross private land to access a state section and graciously offered to take us out there for a mule deer.  

Cindy patiently guides Adam toward some Wyoming mule deer.

The next afternoon, we met Cindy at the edge of the property. My dad could watch from the truck as Cindy, my brother and I scoured the state land for my brother’s fist deer. It wasn’t long before we spotted a group of mule deer about 200 yards away, and a forked-horn buck among them. We crawled to the crest of the hill on our bellies, and I sat back while Cindy coached my brother. She was so patient, reassuring him that if he didn’t feel comfortable with the shot, we could find a different animal. He had our great-uncle’s Remington 721, the only gun he had to hunt with, which was sighted to 100 yards. My brother turned and looked back at me. 

“Where should I shoot him?” he asked.  

I reached up and poked him in the ribs behind his arm. He nodded, settled back into the prone position, and fired. He made an excellent shot, the buck dropped, and our dad watched the whole thing from the truck. 

Adam’s first deer with his great-uncle’s Remington 721.

The next day, we went back out to the same spot with the intention of dad experiencing a similar hunt. It was an easy pack out and we knew there were more deer in the area. However, when we arrived at the state land, two cow elk were nestled in a snowbank about 400 yards away. Cindy asked me if I had a cow tag, which I did. My dad laughed and handed over the same Remington that my brother had used the day before. And just like the day before, my dad watched one of his kids harvest an animal on public lands with his uncle’s rifle. We dragged the elk back to the truck and went home to celebrate. 

The family celebrates McKay’s cow elk.

The next day, the weather had shifted back from winter wonderland to sunny and warm. We decided to go take down the wall tent that we had left on the mountain. We were disappointed that we didn’t spend another night in the tent, but my dad and brother were leaving on Saturday, and they wanted to be organized for the long drive. Most of the snow had already melted, and the road to the camp was a muddy mess. We packed everything up and surfed our way down the mountain on a tidal wave of bentonite clay.  

As we drove back, I asked my brother to stop the truck on the rim of a draw not far from the road on BLM land. “Dad and I both still have deer tags to fill, so let’s take a minute to glass.”  

After a few minutes, I saw a buck bedded down at the bottom of the draw a half mile away. I asked my dad if he wanted to try for it, and we decided to put on a stalk.  

My brother stayed with the truck as Dad and I walked to the edge of the draw. It was a steep scree slope dotted with the occasional mahogany shrub. A lone juniper offered us shelter as we surveyed our route to the buck.  

“Could you make a shot from here?” I asked my dad.  

“Nope, just a little too far for my comfort.”  

We inched our way closer. I moved down the slope, careful not to loosen any rocks or stab myself on a mahogany sticker.  

“How about now?”  

“I can’t even see him from this spot!”  

I was beginning to see why he hadn’t harvested a deer in so long. I picked my way to a new spot, about 80 yards from the buck and my dad eased his way over to me.  

“How about now?” I asked, as he looked through the scope of the Remington 721.  

“This ought to do. Just let me take my glasses off real quick.” He lowered the gun to remove his glasses. I continued to watch the buck through my binoculars. The deer was bedded down at the edge of the mahogany and hadn’t moved since we began our decent. The wind was in our favor as I waited for the report of the rifle.  

“Dad, hurry up.” I was not as patient as Cindy.  

“Hang on, I’m just making sure,” he said as he brought the rifle up again. I waited.  

“DAD.”  

“I want to take my hat off first.” He fumbled with his wool cap, and I began to wonder if the buck could see the sun shining off his bald head. I watched through my binoculars as the shot rang out and the buck disappeared from my vision.  

I jumped up and ran to rock outcropping and saw the buck, still laying in his bed. My dad had made an excellent shot, and the buck never woke up from his nap.  

The Remington 721 completed the Fleck trifecta with this buck taken by McKay’s father.

Packing this deer out was more difficult than the last one, as we had to go straight up the slope. I ran back to the truck to retrieve my brother and we carried the deer out of the draw for our dad. We loaded our harvest on top of the wall tent in the back of the truck and headed back to town to celebrate once again. Three days, three tags filled on public land, and one rifle. 

The next time my brother and dad would see that tent would be 2024.  

Read Part II of this story HERE.

Photo credits: McKay Fleck


The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

by:

posted in:

January 13, 2025

Recreational Angling, Conservation Community Supports Menhaden Science Funding

Renewed Virginia legislative effort to fund a three-year study would provide insights critical for a healthy Chesapeake Bay  

(RICHMOND, Va.)— During the 2025 legislative session, Virginia lawmakers will again consider providing funding for university research into the Commonwealth’s largest fishery: Atlantic menhaden. Delegate Paul Milde (R-64) is spearheading the effort to provide the $3 million necessary for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to complete a three-year study of the ecology, fishery impacts, and economic importance of the menhaden population in the waters of the Commonwealth. 

Last Friday, Delegate Milde introduced House Bill 2713, which directs the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, in collaboration with VIMS, to conduct the menhaden study. In addition, an amendment to the state’s biennial budget, falling under HB 1600, Item 148 #4h, seeks to earmark funding separately for the same study as another potential vehicle to help ensure success.

Atlantic menhaden are a small, schooling fish targeted by industry to be turned into fishmeal and fish oil products through a process known as “reduction” fishing. Due to their high oil content, menhaden – otherwise called bunker – serve as the base of the marine food chain in Virginia, feeding iconic predators like striped bass, bluefish, and ospreys during critical points in their life cycles, especially inside the Chesapeake Bay. Although menhaden are managed on a coastwide basis by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, there is a lack of specific data related to how many menhaden are present within the Bay itself throughout the year and the impacts reduction fishing may have on the fragile estuarine ecosystem. 

“Current menhaden management relies on incomplete information. This research will provide the scientific foundation needed to make sound decisions that balance the needs of the fishery with the ecological importance of this keystone species,” said Delegate Paul Milde (R-64), who is sponsoring the efforts. “Menhaden are essential to the health of the Chesapeake Bay, supporting a variety of commercial and recreational fisheries. By investing in this research, we can make informed decisions about menhaden management and protect this vital species for future generations.”  

Photo Credit: Joanna Steidle

Concerns about the removal of menhaden from the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake are the primary reason ASMFC implemented a harvest cap on the state’s reduction fishery in 2006. However, this cap is based solely on historic landings and not actual scientific data on the current population of menhaden in the Bay.  

“As questions continue to mount about the health of the Chesapeake Bay’s menhaden population, the need for this important effort grows every day. We appreciate all the work that the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Virginia Marine Resources Commission have done in the development of the study,” said Chris Moore, Virginia executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “CBF is very appreciative of Delegate Milde for his leadership to ensure this effort is not further delayed.”  

This relatively low-cost education funding provision would allow VIMS to expand its knowledge about Virginia’s largest commercial fishery to improve sustainable fisheries management and give the Virginia Marine Resources Commission the information necessary to determine the role menhaden play in maintaining viable recreational fishing access and a healthy Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. A robust menhaden population directly supports Virginia’s $980 million recreational fishing economy, by serving as a critical food source for valuable sportfish like striped bass (or rockfish).   

“Making up the gaps in science is the only way to effectively evaluate the menhaden population in the Bay,” said Chris Macaluso, director of the Center for Marine Fisheries for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “The reduction industry removes millions of pounds of menhaden from the Chesapeake. Numerous economically, ecologically, and culturally important fish like striped bass, cobia, and red drum depend on this forage, yet little is known about the impacts of depleting menhaden inside the Bay. Establishing a baseline of knowledge for the Bay’s fishery is vital to support both sustainable commercial and recreational fisheries.” 

Recent fish spills by the menhaden reduction industry initially highlighted the need to find ways to mitigate the impact of these spills to local economies. As a result, the General Assembly passed SB 1388 during the 2023 legislative session, which required VIMS to develop plans for studying menhaden populations in the waters of the Commonwealth. In early 2024, Virginia lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would have funded this necessary research. 

“For years, we’ve lacked the baseline knowledge we need to help establish robust and lasting protections for menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay,” said Romaric Moncrieffe, marine conservation policy manager for the National Audubon Society. “This funding bill is a step in the right direction towards achieving a lasting and healthy fishery that is able to support and protect vital bird and fish species along the entire Atlantic coast. We must do everything we can to preserve the health of the Bay.” 

“An investment by Virginia in science to better manage, use, and conserve public fishery resources in the Chesapeake Bay is a logical and long-awaited step towards establishing an important balance for stakeholders and the fishery resources we all share,” said David Sikorski, executive director for the Coastal Conservation Association – Maryland.  

“It’s clear advancing science in the Chesapeake Bay is important to understanding the ecosystem dynamics in the primary producer area for striped bass,” said Mike Waine, Atlantic fisheries policy director for the American Sportfishing Association. “Menhaden, as a key forage species, play a vital economic role in supporting recreational fishing businesses that serve hundreds of thousands of anglers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.” 

“We need Bay-specific science to better understand the impacts of fishing on birds and other predators within Chesapeake Bay,” said Nikki Rovner, associate state director of The Nature Conservancy in Virginia. “Better science will help us make better decisions on how to manage those impacts and continue improving the health of the system.”  

Learn more on our Forage Fish Recovery Page about the recreational fishing community’s push for better management of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Banner image courtesy Chesapeake Bay Program

HOW YOU CAN HELP

TRCP has partnered with Afuera Coffee Co. to further our commitment to conservation. $4 from each bag is donated to the TRCP, to help continue our efforts of safeguarding critical habitats, productive hunting grounds, and favorite fishing holes for future generations.

Learn More

You have Successfully Subscribed!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

You have Successfully Subscribed!