Western Native Trout Initiative

10/15/2026

🐟 The October 2026 Western Native Trout Challenge Newsletter is here!

Catch up on the latest news from the Western Native Trout Initiative, including important updates on our NFHP "Large Grants" Request for Proposals (RFP) and other news from the world of native trout conservation.

Whether you're a conservation partner, a native trout enthusiast, or taking on the Western Native Trout Challenge, our latest newsletter has updates to keep you connected to the trout conservation work happening across the West.

📬 Read the October newsletter here!
🔗 https://mailchi.mp/westernnativetrout/oct-2026-news-from-the-western-native-trout-initiative-17331737

10/14/2026

WNTI at the Wild Trout Symposium XIV!

We’re excited to be in West Yellowstone for the Wild Trout Symposium XIV, connecting with fellow fisheries professionals, researchers, and conservation partners while learning about the latest science and innovations in wild trout conservation.

We’ll also have a WNTI booth! If you’re attending, stop by to say hello, introduce yourself, learn more about the Western Native Trout Initiative, and pick up some WNTI posters or stickers. We’d love to meet you! Don't forget to check out the awesome poster by Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, one of the other National Fish Habitat Partnership groups represented here too.

Never attended a Wild Trout Symposium? Consider joining us at a future event! Held every few years, the symposium brings together scientists, fisheries managers, conservationists, and anglers to share ideas and explore new approaches to conserving wild trout. Learn more at https://wildtroutsymposium.com/

Here’s to great science, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to conserving wild and native trout across the US!

10/09/2026

Funding Opportunity: Culvert replacements and wildlife crossings
Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP) — FY 2026

This program supports projects that reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species. Potentially relevant projects could include transportation infrastructure improvements that reconnect fragmented habitats and help native trout access connected streams and waterways.

Approximately $80 million in federal funding is available for FY 2026. Both construction and non-construction projects are eligible for consideration.

Eligible applicants include state transportation departments, local governments, federally recognized Tribes, federal land management agencies, and other qualifying public entities. Conservation nonprofits and other organizations may be eligible partners working with an eligible applicant.

📅 **Application deadline: November 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.**

If your organization is working to improve fish passage, this opportunity may be worth exploring with your transportation and conservation partners!

Learn more about this opportunity here:
https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/wildlife-crossings/pilot-program

Full funding opportunity, eligibility requirements, and application details:
https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/41eb2492-6242-49f8-89ae-17d15c068be4

Full NOFO is here:
https://highways.dot.gov/media/235021

Let’s work together to reconnect habitats and conserve native trout across the West!

10/09/2026

Great story about Greenback Cutthroat Trout from Colorado Parks and Wildlife!

09/25/2026

Congratulations to Christopher Estes on receiving the Seth Gordon Award! Among his many accomplishments, Christopher was instrumental in the development of WNTI and helped shape the National Fish Habitat Partnership.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡 & 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) recognized thirteen individuals, one group, one state agency, and one private landowner for their dedication to advancing fish and wildlife conservation at the Association’s Annual Awards Ceremony on September 16, 2026, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

• Seth Gordon Award- Christopher Estes
• John L. Morris Award- Leon Boyd
• Lifetime Achievement Award- Scot Williamson, Shane Mahoney
• Ernest Thompson Seton Award- Dr. Embere Hall
• National Private Lands Fish & Wildlife Stewardship Award- Klinkner Family Farm, Travis & Krista Klinkner
• Conservation Law Enforcement Award- North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation Inc
• Mark J. Reeff Memorial Award- Lanie Carter (MyFWC)
• Stephen Kellert Award- Ann Forstchen (WIM)
• Gary Taylor Award- Lane Kisonak (AFWA)
• R3 Advancement Award- Douglas Burt (AZGFD)
• Special Recognition Awards- Josh Avey, Dr. Dwayne Etter, Todd Bogenschutz, Jenny Prenosil

Read the full press release here: https://www.fishwildlife.org/landing/blog/association-fish-and-wildlife-agencies-honors-its-2026-annual-awards-recipients

09/25/2026

Great opportunity to see how working lands conservation can help improve habitat for many species, including native trout!

Don’t forget to RSVP! The Working Lands Showcase is coming up September 28.

Join us for a morning at Murphy Ranch on South Flat to see how collaborative restoration projects can benefit both working lands and watershed health.

We’ll explore a whole-meadow approach to restoration, including:
💧 Irrigation enhancement & improved water availability
🐄 Livestock forage improvements
🌱 Meadow and stream restoration
🦫 Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs) & PALS
🌲 Upland treatments
🦌 Improved habitat

Come see these projects on the ground, hear from the people involved, and learn how similar approaches could benefit your own operation.

📅 Monday, September 28
⏰ 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
🚗 Carpool meeting locations in Lakeview (OWL Office at 620 N 1st St.) and Paisley (Community Center at 705 Chewaucan St.)

Space is limited, so please RSVP by September 23rd!
https://lakecountywsc.com/workshops

09/23/2026

FUNDING Opportunity: for Resilient Transportation & Aquatic Habitat

Have you heard about the The U.S. Department of Transportation’s PROTECT Competitive Grant Program? If you are working at the intersection of transportation infrastructure, watershed health, and native trout conservation, then this is for YOU!

This competitive grant program provides up to $787 million to help communities and transportation agencies plan for and strengthen infrastructure against flooding, wildfire, drought, extreme weather, and other natural hazards.

Eligible projects can include natural infrastructure, resilient culverts, stream and hydraulic improvements, bridge upgrades, flood mitigation, and aquatic ecosystem restoration elements that are functionally connected to transportation improvements.

📅 Application deadline: October 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET

Eligible applicants include states, local governments, federally recognized Tribes, metropolitan planning organizations, public transportation agencies, port authorities, and other eligible entities.

Learn more and review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity:
PROTECT Competitive Grant Program – Full Funding Opportunity

Photo credit: thanks to Katrina Liebich, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

09/08/2026

The FY27 Western Native Trout Initiative RFP is OPEN!

WNTI is now accepting proposals for the FY27 cycle of funding through the National Fish Habitat Partnership Program.

If you have a project that advances conservation of native trout and their habitats across the West, we want to hear from you!

Everything you need to know about this funding opportunity, eligibility requirements, and how to apply is at our website:
👉 https://westernnativetrout.org/funding/wnti-nfhp-funding-opportunity-fy2027/

To start an application, use the WNTI online grant application form:
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/5424e3e3d6404e11868081ff2450c09d?portalUrl=https://wafwaprojects.maps.arcgis.com

This RFP will close October 19, 2026!

Please don't wait until the last day to submit your application to allow time for troubleshooting your application if you encounter problems with the online
application form.

09/04/2026

Thanks to everyone who participated in our East vs. West Trout Conservation symposium at this years American Fisheries Society society meeting. What a huge success! We had a great turnout and some inspiring discussions on how to approach similar challenges to native trout management everyone is facing. We owe a big thanks to our fellow organizers at the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, Trout Unlimited and the Fish Management Section of the American Fisheries Society.

09/01/2026

The Western Native Trout Initiative is excited to be in Columbus, Ohio, this week for the 2026 American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting.

We’re especially excited to celebrate the achievements of Therese Thompson, recipient of the 2026 Stanley A. Moberly Award for Outstanding Contributions in Fish Habitat Conservation! 🏆

Therese served as the WNTI coordinator for over a decade, and her dedication to conserving and restoring fish habitat is an inspiration to all of us working to protect native trout and healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Congratulations Therese! You certainly earned it! 👏🐟