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Let’s Talk Fish Habitat-The Federal government has established a Standing Committee of MP’s to review the Fisheries Act and provide recommendations to the government on any changes, modifications or adjustments to the Act and new policies since 2012. A website has been created by DFO to solicit thoughts, comments and concerns on a set of topics related to this review. We are urging people to take this opportunity to provide the Standing Committee with your concerns over the protection of fish and fish habitat in Canada. TUC staff are also preparing a brief to the Standing Committee to identify our positions on the existing legislation and policies as well. Please review the Let’s Talk Fish Habitat website and to enter your input.

Alberta Water Council Releases Two Reports-Alberta Water Council Recommendations to Improve Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management in Alberta. Trout Unlimited Canada is pleased to have been a part of two projects recently completed by the Alberta Water Council. Aquatic Invasive Species TUC biologist, Lesley Peterson was a member of the project team which developed the report Recommendations to Improve Aquatic Invasive Species Management in Alberta. Alberta has five aquatic invasive species (AIS) but some of the most harmful AIS (zebra and quagga mussels, Asian carp and Eurasian watermilfoil) have not yet been established here. This allows for a proactive management approach with a strong focus on prevention. AIS pose a significant threat to water management facilities, water supply infrastructure, aquatic ecosystems, recreation, and human health. The report focusses on five areas that are essential to good AIS management: prevention, public awareness, communication and collaboration; long-term management; monitoring; inspections; and enforcement. Recommendations to Improve AIS Management in Alberta Water Literacy Director of Education, Lynn Robb participated in the development of the report Recommendations to Improve Water Literacy in Alberta, which explores five areas for improving water literacy: increased collaboration among water literacy practitioners, provision of tools and knowledge to assess program success and effectiveness; alignment of topics, audiences, delivery areas and methods; stronger capacity among practitioners; and assessment of water literacy among Albertans. Water literacy forms the foundation for successful education and outreach, by cultivating a stewardship and compliance ethic and enabling informed public input to decision-making processes. Both projects were undertaken in parallel with work by the Government of Alberta (GoA) and include specific recommendations and timelines. Recommendations to Improve Water Literacy in Alberta The Alberta Water Council is a multi-stakeholder partnership that stewards the implementation of Alberta’s Water for Life strategy and provides advice on water management issues to its members, which include the GoA and provincial authorities, industries, municipalities and NGOs.

Reconnecting Canada – The Million Mile Effort. Reconnecting Canada – Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) has been known for decades for its efforts in fisheries protection, stream rehabilitation and partnership in management efforts across the country. TUC is pleased to announce its first national stream rehabilitation campaign. This campaign will join TUC staff, volunteers, members and partners across the country to achieve a common goal – reconnect Canada’s waters Across the country rivers, streams and creeks are severed by many different types of crossings, many of which have culverts. A culvert is a structure placed under a road that allows water to pass under the road, utility or trail. Culverts are commonly made from concrete or metal and come in various shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, many culverts have significant negative impacts to Canada’s precious rivers and streams. Culverts can stop or hamper fish and other animal passage, cause erosion and most importantly reduce the quality of water upstream and downstream. Why is this important? Rivers and Streams provide vital services to animals, people and our environment. Clean, healthy water improves our recreational areas by reducing the ability of viruses and bacteria like E. coli to survive. These healthy waters also improve and create new habitats for a variety of animals, improving the value and quality of our parks and wild areas. Healthy trees and plants need clean water to grow, improving air quality and reducing air temperatures during hot spells. Healthy rives provide cleaner water for communities that use rivers and lake for drinking water, irrigation and industry. Clean water is cheaper to treat, and better for our communities. Trout Unlimited Canada is committing to making these changes happen in Canadian communities, it’s time to reconnect our waterways! By replacing or fixing culverts that are causing erosion, degrading water quality, hampering fish movement and threatening our roads and utilities we will make our communities healthier and stronger.

Trout Unlimited Canada is once again the proud recipient of a Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Blue Water Project™ Leadership Grant for $150,000 in support of its ongoing Drywood Creek Flagship Conservation Project located in S.W. Alberta, near the town of Pincher Creek. This award was presented to Trout Unlimited Canada on Thursday June 21, 2012 during the Drywood/Yarrow Conservation Partnership Watershed Tour. Drywood Creek is one of Trout Unlimited Canada’s five Flagship Conservation projects across Canada.  In 2008, TUC was invited to partner with the Drywood/Yarrow Conservation Partnership (DYCP) on biological and educational programs throughout the watershed.  Since 2008, TUC has held electro-fishing workdays and educational field days in the Drywood Creek Watershed, involving local school groups and landowners and their families.  TUC has also worked closely with ranchers and other partners to install riparian fencing and off-stream stock watering systems.  These practices allow producers to control the timing and intensity of livestock grazing, allowing sensitive riparian areas to rest and recover at critical times. The RBC Blue Water Project™ is a 10-year, $50 million grant program to support projects dedicated to water conservation, watershed protection, access to clean drinking water, and other fresh water-related issues in Canada and around the world. Since 2007, RBC has pledged over $27 million to more than 350 not-for-profit organizations worldwide that protect watersheds or ensure access to clean drinking water. Lesley Peterson, Project Biologist with Trout Unlimited Canada states, “RBC Blue Water funding has allowed us to continue to work closely with current and future generations of land stewards throughout the Drywood Creek watershed.  These partnerships have enabled us to drive positive change on the ground, benefiting downstream water users and the local fish populations. We are truly grateful for the support provided by the RBC Blue Water Project™ towards this important project.” RBC Regional Vice President, Mark Brown went on to say “At RBC, we see the important work Trout Unlimited Canada is doing with their Drywood Creek Flagship Conservation Project in Southern Alberta. From dynamic educational programming being provided to school groups, land owners and area residents to the idea of creating thoughtful environmental stewards, the Drywood Creek Flagship Conservation Project shows a longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability. We are thrilled to be working alongside TUC as they work to protect some of Alberta’s most precious riparian zones.” Jeff Surtees, CEO for Trout Unlimited Canada added, “RBC and the RBC Blue Water Fund have been generous partners for TUC, providing support for our Artist of the Year program, our Nile Creek Flagship Project on Vancouver Island, work on the Kettle River in British Columbia and for this work on the Drywood Creek watershed in Alberta. We are also very grateful to Gordon Ritchie, Vice Chairman of RBC Capital Markets who chaired our very successful 2012 Calgary spring fundraising dinner which raised over one million dollars for cold water conservation. “ For more information regarding the Drywood Creek Flagship Conservation Project, please contact Lesley Peterson, Project Biologist, Trout Unlimited Canada, at 403-209-5184 or via email . About RBC and the RBC Blue Water Project™ The RBC Blue Water Project™ is an innovative, wide-ranging, 10-year global commitment to help protect the world’s most precious natural resource: fresh water. It includes a $50 million philanthropic commitment to organizations that protect watersheds and ensure access to clean drinking water. The RBC Blue Water Project™ also promotes responsible water use through awareness programs and supports programs that encourage businesses to develop and commercialize innovative solutions to the water issues facing the world.  For more information, visit the RBC Blue Water Project™ website . Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. The RBC is Canada’s largest bank, and among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. They are one of North America’s leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking and transaction processing services on a global basis. They employ approximately 74,000 full- and part-time employees who serve close to 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 55 other countries. For more information, please visit the RBC website . About Trout Unlimited Canada Trout Unlimited Canada’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and their coldwater resources for current and future generations. TUC has been restoring rivers and streams in Canada for over 35 years. For more information about the Drywood Creek Restoration Project-including project updates and TUC’s Flagship Conservation Projects please click here .

Trout Unlimited Canada has teamed up with Parks Canada and the University of Calgary to restore a population of native westslope cutthroat trout in the Hidden Lake and Corral Creek drainages near the Lake Louise Ski Area in Banff National Park. This multi-year project involves partnerships, research along with volunteer signage and education components. The Alberta population of westslope cutthroat trout, which are listed as a Threatened species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), currently occupies approximately 10% of its historical range. A recovery strategy has been drafted by a team of experts that addresses issues facing the species and provides recommendations and steps that could be used to recover the species. This plan is specific to only pure populations within historic native range. Westslope cutthroat trout have faced multiple threats including habitat loss and degradation, competition and hybridization with non-native, introduced species and over-harvest. Only limited populations of pure westslope cutthroat trout remain within their historic range in the province, most often to reaches of rivers above natural barriers such as waterfalls. Introgression with introduced rainbow trout and competition for food and habitat with brook trout has also limited westslope cutthroat trout range and numbers. Brook trout, native to eastern North America, were introduced in water bodies throughout western Canada in the early1900’s in an attempt to bolster angling opportunities. Brook trout mature at a younger age and smaller size and do not live as long or grow as big as native westlope cutthroat or bull trout. Brook Trout were likely introduced into Hidden Lake and upper Corral Creek sometime in the 1960’s and have since eliminated native westslope cutthroat trout from a reach above an impassable waterfall on Corral Creek. Since the introduction of brook trout into this watershed, the natural balance between trout species has been altered. Trout Unlimited Canada, Parks Canada and the University of Calgary have come together to restore the natural balance in this system.

By By Todd Dupuis-Regional Operations Director, Atlantic Salmon Federation Federal Minister of Fisheries, the Honourable Keith Ashfield (right), presented Daryl Guignion (left) from the Prince Edward Island chapter with a 2011 National Recreational Fisheries Award for his tireless commitment to conservation and restoration of the recreational fisheries of PEI. Daryl Guignion joined Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) because of his belief and support in TUC’s conservation goals and vision. In addition to his role with the Prince Edward Island chapter Daryl has lent his support and scientific expertise to other chapters including Prince County. Daryl also helped organize and found the Morelle Fisheries Management Coop, a group recognized for its watershed management, habitat restoration and trout and salmon enhancement. Wildlife biologist, researcher, and teacher Daryl Guignion has spent a lifetime working with educators, policy-makers, and community organizations to encourage greater respect and protection for the natural environment. Daryl has devoted much of his own time for four decades to bettering the recreational fishery on Prince Edward Island. He has lobbied over many years for effective legislation and environmental practices to conserve waterways for trout and salmon. Believing that one of the best ways to increase awareness and encourage change is through education, Guignion has made literally hundreds of presentations to school and community groups about major threats to fragile ecosystems. As an associate professor in the UPEI Biology department, he has inspired his students to view their environment through a sensitive lens that strengthens their understanding of how they are affected by the natural world, and how they are totally dependent on it. He has trained many teachers who, in turn educated their students about conservation and preservation of the environment. He was a founding member of the Island Nature Trust. His work to establish the only legislated Conservation Zone in Prince Edward Island along the Morell River is a highlight among the many projects to which he has contributed. By combining his scientific research background, his interest in recreational fish management, his educational capabilities and his ability to see projects through, Mr. Guignion has contributed vastly to the conservation of the natural environment in Prince Edward Island

Trout Unlimited Canada is pleased to announcement the launch of the Duffins Creek Renewal Program with the support of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. The launch took place at the Greenwood Discovery Pavilion in Ajax on April 24, 2012. Enbridge Gas Distribution is teaming up with Trout Unlimited Canada to help restore the Duffins Creek watershed. Running from the Oak Ridges Moraine and passing through Ajax, Pickering, Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville and Uxbridge, Duffins Creek is deteriorating due to increased urban pressure, land use practices and climate change. Enbridge Gas Distribution will support Trout Unlimited Canada’s efforts to restore the watershed through environmental stewardship, habitat remediation and environmental education. For more information regarding this important announcement please click here to read the complete media release.

TUC receives a Federal Recreational Fisheries Award for its contributions to the Grand River watershed conservation and management

Exciting news! Trout Unlimited Canada’s Duffins Creek Watershed Renewal Program has received a Walmart Evergreen Green Grant of $8K. This grant will fund workday and outreach events. Through streamside tree planting workdays and public outreach events such as Duffins Creek Family Fun Day, Trout Unlimited Canada will foster pride, appreciation and enjoyment of Duffins Creek. Tree planting workdays will take place in Fall 2012. Many thanks to the generosity of Walmart Evergreen Green Grants! Trout Unlimited Canada’s Duffins Creek Watershed Renewal Program in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation with founding sponsoring Enbridge Gas Distribution aims to protect the Duffins Creek headwaters and to improve water quality while engaging local residents in restoring the aquatic ecosystem of this significant river. By working together, we are ensuring a healthy future for Duffins Creek and ourselves. More information about the program can be found through our Duffins Creek Blog.

This spring, Trout Unlimited Canada completed the construction phase of the Policeman Creek Habitat Enhancement project in Canmore, Alberta.  The goal of the project is to build upon previous enhancements of overwintering fish habitat within Policeman Creek.  Due to changes in water management and groundwater flows, there has been limited wetted habitat for fish residing in the creek over winter for most of the last 15 years.  Surface water in much of the creek during the winter months has been limited to a few shallow, isolated pools.  During especially dry years, several salvage efforts have been completed in late spring to move fish from drying pools to functional deep water areas where they could survive until runoff. In 2006, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, in conjunction with a local developer constructed overwintering pools in Policeman Creek near the Spring Creek Mountain Village.  Trout Unlimited Canada biologists and volunteers conducted electrofishing assessments within three of these constructed pools in April 2010.  The effort resulted in the capture of 199 fish including 99 Brook Trout, 78 Brown Trout, 19 Mountain Whitefish, and three Longnose Suckers.  The electrofishing assessment demonstrated the importance and functionality of these pools in Policeman Creek in providing overwintering habitat to both juvenile and adult trout during low water years. After two years of planning and baseline sampling including electrofishing and redd surveys, on April 16, 2012 TUC hired a local contractor to excavate five overwintering pools in Policeman Creek.  Felled spruce trees, provided by Spring Creek Mountain Village, were placed in the pools to provide functional hiding cover for fish.  A secondary benefit of the project involved the creation of islands within the creek that will provide quality waterfowl habitat. The next phase of the project includes planting willows and grasses on the islands to promote a healthy riparian zone benefiting fish and wildlife.  The final phase of the Policeman Creek Habitat Enhancement Project will include a multi-year monitoring program to assess fish use of the pools, to ensure the success of the island vegetation, and to evaluate any changes in spawning activity in Policeman Creek. This project was made possible thanks to funding from the Alberta Conservation Association’s Grant Eligible Conservation Fund, the volunteer contribution of the TUC Bow Headwaters Chapter, and advice from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development – Fish and Wildlife Division.