For trout, climate change is a killer

Among the many species of wildlife that are facing impacts from climate change, trout and salmon are among those that will feel the effects of rising temperatures most immediately. Cold water species such as trout and salmon can live only in oxygen rich, cold, clean waters. When water temperatures rise, these fish must move or they will die.

Trout Unlimited scientists have studied the impacts of climate change on numerous native species of salmon and found that — without action to curb climate change and make their habitat more resilient — more than 50% of their current habitat in western states will be uninhabitable by 2050. Similar habitat loss is likely in the East.

Land trusts can play a role here. The positive benefits of habitat protection and restoration are direct, local and nearly immediate. Trout Unlimited has worked with conservation landowners across the nation — whether government, private or nonprofit — to address the threats to cold water species and ecosystems. Those efforts have included restoring connectivity so fish can move when needed, recreating natural stream conditions that provide shade and structure to lower stream temperatures and protecting the watersheds that provide clean water and quality habitat.

The Trout Unlimited Land Conservancy Fund helps the more than 340 Trout Unlimited chapters across America partner with land trusts to identify priority cold water systems and work together to protect them while providing for their stewardship. Though a modest fund at this time, Trout Unlimited hopes to build the program so more projects can be supported in the future.

A new video profiles three recent projects this fund helped support — and illustrates the potential for powerful partnerships to help counter the effects of climate change. Together, we can make a difference.

Paul Doscher is a national trustee of Trout Unlimited and the past chair of the Piscataquog Land Conservancy.