Trout Unlimited's mission is to protect coldwater fisheries and the watersheds upon which they depend. Since most functioning watersheds in the West are found on higher-elevation public lands that provide prime elk and other big game habitat, TU conducts its Sportsmen's Conservation Project (SCP) as an outreach program aimed at hunters as well as anglers. SCP's man in Colorado is Durango-based state field director David Petersen (dpetersen@tu.org).
SCP operates active field programs to address four major concerns for the long-term protection of public-lands, fish and wildlife habitat, and watersheds:
- Stemming the flood-tide of off-road vehicle abuse and overuse
- Monitoring and moderating oil, gas, and coal-bed methane development in the Interior West
- Protecting undeveloped backcountry roadless areas
- Working for the designation of new wilderness in areas with significant watershed, fish, wildlife, hunting, and fishing values.
To learn more, visit the Sportsmen's Cosnervation Project page at TU.org. To stay informed and learn how to get personally involved in these good fights, sign up for SCP’s free monthly Field Notescfisher@tu.org, with “Field Notes subscription” in the subject line. newsletter: just send your email address to