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Trout Unlimited

Contact
Jeff Hastings
Trout Unlimited
Westby, WI 54667
jhastings@tu.org
(608) 606-4158

On the Web: www.tu.org/driftless

Activity: Trout Unlimited Driftless Area Restoration Effort (TUDARE)

Geographic location: The Driftless Area spans southwest WI, southeast MN, northeast IA, and northwest IL. The 24,000 sq. mile landscape was bypassed by the last glaciation and is characterized by deep valleys, limestone formations, and abundant streams.

Brief activity description: Trout Unlimited’s Driftless Area Restoration Effort (TUDARE) is an ambitious multi-year effort to restore and protect the region’s streams and lands to benefit water quality, fish, and local communities by expanding the scope and impact of watershed restoration efforts. Strategies include building alliances with other organizations, prioritizing and developing a staged plan for restoring the region, fostering a regional identity, leveraging significant resources from private, local, state, and federal sources, and helping build the capacity of TU chapters, and partners to carry this work forward.

Primary goals or focus:

• Nutrient reduction
• Sediment reduction
• Water quality improvement
• Development/implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• Education/information sharing
• Organizing/networking/coordinating
• Other (please specify):
• Improved stream habitat and fishery health.

Projected outcomes/impacts, if known: Reduced soil erosion and pollution, improved stream habitat and fishery health, expanded recreational opportunities, and strengthened regional and national constituency for Driftless Restoration.

Activity type:

• Education
• Demonstration
• Implementation
• Technical assistance

Scale of activity:

• Watershed
• Basin
• Regional

Lead organization(s)/organizer(s): Trout Unlimited - National office in cooperation with local TU chapters and Councils

Other partners and participants: WI, MN, IA, and IL DNRs, USFWS, NRCS, Resource Conservation & Development Agencies - Driftless Area Initiative, Blufflands Alliance - land trusts, The Nature Conservancy, other conservation groups and agencies

Timeline/duration: 5-10 years
Projected or real startup time: 2006

Funding sources:

• Federal government
• State government
• Foundations
• Individual donors

Publications

Joint Resolution for Restoration
Joint resolution signed the governors of WI, MN, IL, and IA and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
Read more