Swirling menhaden school Long Island-Credit Joanna Steidle-1600

Stewardship on America’s private lands

With 70 percent of U.S. lands in private hands and many of our best hunt and fish opportunities occurring there, investing in voluntary conservation on working lands safeguards access, strengthens habitat and water quality, and ensures resilient landscapes.

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by: Ryan Lockwood

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August 27, 2026

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by: McKay Fleck

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TRCP Brings Hunter and Angler Priorities to Western Energy Initiative

How TRCP is working to meet the West’s energy needs without sacrificing hunting and fishing traditions

The Western Governors’ Association spent the past year examining how Western states can expand energy production, transmission and storage – an effort led by Utah Governor Spencer Cox and branded Energy Superabundance: Unlocking Prosperity in the West. The yearlong initiative included workshops, surveys, and webinars, bringing together policy makers, industry leaders, and conservation organizations from across the West. Energy infrastructure and public lands access aren’t separate issues in the West – the same landscapes that support energy transmission infrastructure and mineral development also hold migration corridors, cold water streams, and hunting grounds that define the region’s outdoor traditions.

The report presents federal policy recommendations to help plan, finance, develop, and deploy energy projects across the West, and includes several key policy recommendations provided by TRCP throughout the initiative, one example being: Madeleine West, TRCP’s vice president of western conservation, participated in the Siting Considerations for Energy Development panel during the WGA workshop held in Pheonix, Arizona. Over the course of the initiative, West, along with McKay Fleck, TRCP’s energy policy advisor, worked with partners to bring together defensible policy recommendations that avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to fish and wildlife while still meeting America’s growing energy demands – and account for hunting and fishing access and habitat connectivity from the start, not as an afterthought.

The Energy Superabundance Report echoes several of TRCP’s energy siting recommendations to the federal government. It calls for building transmission lines in already disturbed rights-of-way and siting energy development in brownfields, aiming to keep new projects out of the wildlife habitat that hunters and anglers depend on. The report also backs data driven planning, reinforcing that the best available science should guide durable energy siting policy to ensure responsible energy development.

Special consideration was given to the mining of critical minerals, and building reliable domestic energy will require expanding critical mineral production, processing, and manufacturing, while also recognizing the importance of protections for state equities, tribal interests, hunting and angling, and the environment. Half of all the known critical minerals deposits in the U.S. are upstream of valuable trout and salmon habitat, such as the Wild and Scenic Illinois River in Oregon, or the Pecos River watershed in New Mexico. The WGA report highlights the need to bolster domestic mineral supply chains by expanding our ability to process, refine, and recycle existing ore. Making better use of resources we’ve already extracted means less pressure to open new mines in the sensitive watersheds that hunters and anglers rely on. Western governors and conservation organizations alike agree that energy and outdoor recreation can work simultaneously to build a thriving western economy while retaining the robust wildlife populations and outdoor recreation opportunities that make the west unique in the first place.

Hunters and anglers depend on healthy, connected habitat and reliable access to public land, so how and where energy development happens directly affects the future of those hunting traditions. TRCP has long been a leader in advancing responsible energy siting policy and convenes partners and stakeholders in the hunt-fish community to build scientifically supported policy recommendations to ensure hunting and fishing traditions and outdoor recreation economies continue to thrive as energy demands are met.

This includes the Energy Development & Land Use: Fish & Wildlife Platform developed by TRCP and 21 other hunting, fishing, and conservation organizations; the Wildlife for the 21st Century, Volume VII (W-21) recommendations published by the American Wildlife Conservation Partners, the nation’s top 52 sporting-conservation organizations; the Critical Minerals: A Hunting and Fishing Perspective report, developed jointly by Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, The Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation, and the TRCP; and TRCP’s solar siting guidelines which summarize emerging science to inform the siting of solar energy facilities in a manner that avoids, minimizes, and mitigates impacts to big game and their habitats. These efforts share a common goal, ensuring the West can meet its energy needs without sacrificing the fish, wildlife, and public access that hunters and anglers depend on.

Learn more about energy, critical minerals, & your hunting and fishing opportunities HERE

Top photo courtesy of Josh Metten

by: Sarah Smith

posted in:

August 25, 2026

Restoring the Rio Grande with Federal Funding: Texas

The story of the Rio Grande is one of a single, shared resource under immense pressure. From its headwaters in Colorado, through the interconnected landscapes of New Mexico, and into the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas where it flows along the Mexico border, communities, land managers, Tribes, agricultural producers, and conservation partners are working to sustain the river in the face of growing water challenges. In this final blog of our three-part series on how federal WaterSMART funding shapes watershed restoration and resilience, we focus on South Texas, where the river reaches its terminus and every remaining drop serves people, agriculture, fish, and wildlife – underscoring the importance of making the most of limited water supplies through innovative management and conservation. You can read part one, focused on New Mexico’s Rio Grande project work, HERE, and part two, focused on Colorado, HERE.

In the lower stretches of the Rio Grande along the Texas border, the landscape looks vastly different from upstream. Here, public access to the river is largely limited to a handful of wildlife refuges, management areas, and state and municipal parks rather than the wide-reaching federal public lands found farther north. While sportsmen and women have fewer opportunities to hunt and fish here than upstream, the river’s role as a critical corridor for migratory birds, native fish, and other wildlife remains just as important.

In the Lower Rio Grande, where water is scarce and demands on the river are high, protecting and restoring habitat depends on making every drop count. To better understand how federal funding is supporting these efforts, a group of conservation partners, irrigation districts, municipalities, university representatives, and others embarked on a field tour of U.S. Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART-funded projects in the Lower Rio Grande Valley on a 100-degree day in late July. We were all jealous during a tour stop at an irrigation conveyance channel as we watched a dog jump into the canal to cool off from the relentless heat. Down here everyone understands the importance of water.

WaterSMART Program Helps Protects Western Waters

Throughout this three-part blog series, we’ve explored how collaboration, restoration, and strategic water management strengthen the resilience of the Rio Grande across the basin.And another common theme has been each state’s reliance on WaterSMART grants. The Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) program is one of the primary federal funding sources dedicated to addressing Western water management and drought-related challenges. This Texas field tour aimed to convey the diversity of projects this grant program supports and how it contributes to multiple stakeholder goals that all boil down to making sure the Rio Grande can serve the people and wildlife that depend on it.

“It’s not ‘fish versus farmers’ down here; everyone is taking actions to better manage a scarce resource.”

Staff from the offices of U.S. Senators and Representatives were present and eager to connect with tour participants. The day opened with a presentation from the Bureau of Reclamation on the breadth of WaterSMART-funded projects that stakeholders have implemented in the Lower Rio Grande to increase water security, improve habitat, advance science, and more. In addition to federal staff and attendees from local and state agencies like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, grantees who supported the tour included:

City of McAllen
Rio Grande Joint Venture/American Bird Conservancy
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension
Hidalgo Irrigation District No. 2
United Irrigation District

All grant recipients spoke to the value of the WaterSMART program and how it contributes to better water management and building resilience for the Lower Rio Grande. Projects showcased during the day included canal lining to improve water delivery efficiency by reducing seepage losses and limiting invasive vegetation; water reuse projects that deliver treated, non-potable water for municipal and other non-drinking uses; and stream restoration and sediment management projects that improve habitat while supporting more reliable water delivery downstream.

Sustainable Water Management Benefits Fish and Wildlife

Bobby Janecka, former commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and principal at Guadalupe Public Affairs, remarked that the tour “was a great reminder of how much real, on-the-ground benefit these federal programs deliver, from local water supply and storage projects to nature-based restoration at the watershed scale.” Entities in the Lower Rio Grande are doing what they can to make sure more water stays in the river for the benefit of all.

“The field visits to Hidalgo County ID No. 2 and United Irrigation District were especially valuable, showing how central irrigation districts are to water security and daily life in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Bobby Janecka, principal at Guadalupe Public Affairs.

It’s not “fish versus farmers” down here; everyone is taking actions to better manage a scarce resource. In fact, through the lens of fish and wildlife, a lined canal is actually a habitat protection tool. By lining canals to prevent seepage and removing water-thirsty invasive plants, irrigation districts ensure that more water stays in the Rio Grande. Every drop saved from leaking into the ground is a drop that remains available for the migratory birds and wildlife that depend on the river’s southernmost habitats.

By reducing pressure on the Rio Grande during the hottest months, both infrastructure efficiency and water reuse projects help maintain flows that fish and other aquatic species depend on. Besides canal-lining projects, other efforts showcased during the tour included:

The City of McAllen and its partners are expanding the use of treated, non-potable water for community needs, reducing municipal demand on the river, and creating a critical buffer when water supplies are at their lowest.
The instream restoration work that Rio Grande Joint Venture/American Bird Conservancy is doing to restore habitat upstream of the valley in West Texas ensures that higher quality and greater quantities of water reach downstream while recharging aquifers along the way.
Texas A&M University is developing a plan to remove accumulated sediment from a lake along the lower Rio Grande, restoring valuable aquatic habitat and improving water quality for the benefit of all.

While their missions and federally funded projects may differ, stakeholders in the Lower Rio Grande are all working to improve the river’s function and how far its resources can stretch. These efforts, whether tied to ecosystem improvements or infrastructure upgrades, help increase the river’s resiliency, providing critical benefits for fish and wildlife in the Rio Grande.

One Goal, Many Benefits

Across the three Rio Grande Basin states, the thread remains the same: a healthy river with healthy habitats benefits all. From the headwaters to the terminus, federal funding through programs like WaterSMART is the engine that allows these communities to innovate and implement coordinated, impactful approaches to conservation and restoration.

In Texas, where the river is at its most strained, sustainable and efficient water management is essential to the river’s future. By highlighting how federal investments are supporting water efficiency, restoration, and infrastructure improvements in the river’s final miles, we reinforce the central message of this series: the importance of ensuring there is enough water kept in the river to sustain the fish, wildlife, and outdoor traditions that define the Rio Grande for generations to come.

Our actions in managing the Rio Grande now will define how it serves us in the future. Will we continue to invest in modernizing water infrastructure, advancing science, restoring degraded river reaches, and improving the efficiency and resilience of our water systems? The answer will shape the future of one of the West’s most important rivers.

Take Action

To learn more about the TRCP’s efforts to ensure that WaterSMART receives continued federal funding to tackle Western water challenges, and to help support this effort, see a related Action Alert . To read parts one and two of this blog series, see Restoring the Rio Grande with Federal Funding: New Mexico and Restoring the Rio Grande with Federal Funding: Colorado.

Banner image credit: BFS Man

by: Michael O'Casey

posted in:

August 24, 2026

TRCP Encourages Balanced Approach to Forest Service Travel Management Updates

Hunters and anglers call for consistent framework to ensure conservation priorities in national forests

Last week, the U.S. Forest Service published a Notice of Intent to initiate rulemaking to revise the agency’s 2005 Travel Management Rule. The notice initiated a 30-day public scoping period, which will be followed by a proposed rule. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is urging the agency to ensure that any updates support responsible motorized and nonmotorized access, reduce user conflicts, and conserve important fish and wildlife habitat.

“We are open to thoughtful updates to the Forest Service’s travel management rule to ensure our national forest road and trail system continues to meet the needs of the public and land managers,” said Joel Webster, TRCP chief conservation officer. “At the same time, we believe the proposal needs refinement to ensure the revised travel management rule supports quality recreation experiences, minimizes user conflicts, and helps avoid fragmentation of important habitat. TRCP looks forward to engaging through public comments and discussions with the agency to help craft a durable policy that responds to changing forest conditions and recreational needs while retaining meaningful safeguards for fish and wildlife.”

The Forest Service manages more than 380,000 miles of roads and 165,000 miles of trails across 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. Hunters and anglers rely on many of these routes to reach important hunting and fishing destinations, and they also recognize that roads and trails must be managed carefully to conserve habitat, reduce conflicts among users, and reflect the financial and workforce capacity constraints — including reliance on volunteers and partners — that limit maintenance capacity. Consistent research shows that route density and motorized use can influence deer and elk habitat use. High route densities can cause big game to avoid otherwise productive habitat, while seasonal use in key habitats can negatively affect wildlife when they are most vulnerable.

“Partner organizations have invested significant time, funding, and volunteer capacity into improving trails and recreation experiences on federal lands through partnerships with the Forest Service,” continued Webster. “Any revised travel management rule should protect that investment by reducing user conflicts, supporting sustainable access, and ensuring that road and trail systems remain sustainable over time.”

Travel management regulations should create a consistent framework to guide how transportation systems are planned and managed on public lands, including how roads, trails, and areas are designated for motorized and non-motorized recreation. Effective travel management helps provide public access and quality recreation opportunities, supports land management needs, reduces conflicts among users, and conserves important natural resources, including fish and wildlife habitat.

Follow TRCP to learn more about the process and how to comment.

Learn more about TRCP’s work on public access 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: Melanie Thornton

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The Next Year Will Be Critical for the Colorado River

A new federal decision offers short-term stability for the river basin, but a more durable agreement between states is still needed as the region adapts to future hydrologic realities

On Aug. 21, the Department of the Interior finalized a Record of Decision establishing interim operating guidelines for the Colorado River through 2028. This decision provides a near-term operational framework for hydropower facilities, infrastructure, and water management in the river, while the seven states that comprise the Colorado River Basin—Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and California—continue working toward a long-term agreement. The decision provides important near-term stability for the Basin, but it is not the finish line. Instead, it creates an opportunity to focus on the work that will ultimately determine the Colorado River’s future.

The next year and a half will be critical. As Basin states negotiate a long-term agreement, the choices they make will shape the future of the river and the communities, economies, and fish and wildlife that depend on it for decades to come.

The Colorado River supports drinking water for millions of people; irrigates farms and ranches across the West; and supports wetlands and fish and wildlife habitat. For hunters and anglers, it is far more than a source of water. A healthy river and tributaries support productive trout fisheries, replenish wetlands that provide essential habitat for migrating waterfowl, and sustain healthy riparian corridors that countless wildlife species depend on throughout the Basin. Conserving these resources is fundamental to sustaining outdoor recreation and local economies.

The short-term operating framework establishes operating guidelines for Lake Powell and Lake Mead, providing near-term certainty for reservoir operations and water management across the seven Basin states while the more challenging work continues. But only a long-term agreement, not short-term operational plans, will determine how the Basin adapts to a future shaped by today’s hydrologic realities. As Basin states continue negotiations, healthy rivers and reliable water supplies should remain complementary objectives. A resilient Colorado River system depends on both.

Achieving that outcome will require increased investment in conservation, watershed and habitat restoration, agricultural and municipal water efficiency, and innovative water management. These approaches strengthen water security while conserving fish and wildlife habitat, helping ensure the Colorado River continues to support hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation opportunities across the Basin.

With short-term operations now in place, the Department of the Interior has an important opportunity to maintain momentum by supporting a transparent, collaborative process that keeps Basin states engaged in productive negotiations. Successfully facilitating these discussions will be essential to helping Basin states reach a long-term agreement that reflects today’s Colorado River conditions while recognizing the importance of healthy rivers, reliable water supplies, replenished wetlands, and irreplaceable fish and wildlife habitat.

TRCP looks forward to continuing to work alongside the DOI, Basin states, and partners across the Colorado River Basin by sharing technical expertise and advancing collaborative, science-based conservation solutions. Decades of collaborative conservation have shown that durable solutions become possible when diverse interests work together toward shared goals.

The short-term operating framework provides time, but the Basin’s long-term success will ultimately be measured by what happens next. Over the next year and a half, Basin states have an opportunity to make meaningful progress toward a durable agreement that strengthens the Colorado River for generations to come. Continued collaboration among states, water users, Tribal Nations, conservation organizations, and other key stakeholders will be critical to achieving that shared goal.

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