Presenters from Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH) and Powdermill Nature Reserve (PNR) shared recently completed research findings and facilitated a discussion on how climate change is impacting our lives, and of particular importance to Trout Unlimited (TU), our coldwater fisheries.  Our country has witnessed more frequent and severe weather events over recent years and the intensity is only increasing.  We’re all part of the problem…but we can also all be part of the solution. 

Laurie Giarratani, Director of Education for CMNH, and Alexis Thorbecke, Programs Manager at PNR were guest speakers March 6th at Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited monthly meeting.  The event was held in Greensburg at the Westmoreland Conservation District’s office on Donohoe Road.  The purpose was to help educate TU members and the local community on the science behind climate change, its potential adverse impacts on our planet, and how we can get involved to help remediate some of those problems.  After explaining how and why we’re seeing radical changes in our climate, the group discussed means by which individuals can make lifestyle changes that will help minimize their carbon footprint on the earth.

For TU, the presentation came at a perfect time as they prepare to roll out a new initiative titled “Priority Waters”.  This is a national TU program to be implemented at the state level.  In Pennsylvania, TU has identified four conservation landscapes designated for special attention to protect coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.  The Laurel Highlands is one of those.  The landscape covers five TU chapters who met the week before to strategize how we can conserve, protect and restore the coldwater fisheries in this region.  The group is in the process of developing a five-year strategic plan, a vision statement and mission statement.  It will include specific actions that can be taken by TU and community partners to protect our most precious wild trout and their habitat.

Special guests at the event were Tom McCartney from TU’s Penn’s Woods West Chapter.  Tom serves on TU’s National Leadership Council and is a volunteer member of their Climate Change Working Group.  Also participating in the discussion was Dr. John Wenzel, Executive Director, Conemaugh Valley Conservancy.  John has been involved in implementing TU’s recently completed Coldwater Conservation Plan (CCP) for Linn Run, located in the Laurel Highlands.  

Just like with completing the Linn Run CCP, addressing climate changes impacts on our headwaters will take a community effort.  If remediation efforts are to be undertaken to protect tree canopies that cool the streams, or habitat be developed to provide protective hideaways for trout during droughts, a collaborative effort will be needed with the Department of Natural Resources, the PA Fish & Boat Commission, Western PA Conservancy and many other resource conservation agencies and organizations.  Our communities are learning that TU is not a fishing club.  Our mission is to conserve, protect and restore our coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.  We welcome a seat at the table to address the impacts of climate change on our trout streams.