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tu logo

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

About TU

About TU


Today TU is a national organization with more than 140,000 volunteers organized into about 400 chapters from Maine to Montana to Alaska. This dedicated grassroots army is matched by a respected staff of lawyers, policy experts and scientists, who work out of more than 30 offices nationwide. These conservation professionals ensure that TU is at the forefront of fisheries restoration work at the local, state and national levels.
The organization remains committed to applying "the very best information and thinking available" in its conservation work and has developed cutting-edge tools such as the Conservation Success Index (CSI), a sophisticated framework for assessing the health of coldwater fish species throughout their native range. Whether this range encompasses a few hundred miles or multiple states, the CSI helps the organization target its efforts toward those populations most in need of protection or restoration.
The CSI also enables TU to measure its progress in achieving the bold goals laid out in its mission and vision. These goals require the organization to work at increasingly larger scales, and to collaborate with other conservation interests, local communities and state and federal partners to begin to rebuild the natural resiliency of watersheds. Such efforts are crucial if North America's trout and salmon are to survive climate change and the host of threats facing them at the start of the 21st century.
Nearly 50 years after its founding, no other conservation organization is as well placed as TU to make a difference for the nation's coldwater fisheries.  To learn more about TU's ambitious conservation agenda, please visit the conservation section of our website.

Our Mission

To conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

Our Vision

By the next generation, Trout Unlimited will ensure that robust populations of native and wild coldwater fish once again thrive within their North American range, so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters.

Who We Are

Founded in Michigan in 1959, Trout Unlimited today is a national non-profit organization with 147,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Our staff and volunteers work from coast to coast to protect, reconnect, restore and sustain trout and salmon habitat on behalf of today’s anglers and coming generations of sportsmen and women who value the connection between healthy, intact habitat and angling opportunity.
From forested rivers like the Farmington in Connecticut to the pristine waters of Alaska’s Bristol Bay and all points in between, TU’s work spans nearly a million miles of cold water all across North America. TU is the most effective coldwater fisheries conservation organization in the country. Donors invest in TU because we get things done on the ground, in statehouses and on Capitol Hill. 
TU has a basic approach to its conservation strategy. First, we use the best available science to protect headwater spawning habitat for trout and salmon. We reconnect tributaries with their rivers to ensure resilience, and we restore waters where development has impacted trout and salmon and the opportunity to fish for them. Second, we sustain our work on the ground by:
  • Using the best science to drive conservation priorities
  • Promoting and maintaining a strong legal and regulatory framework to protect fish and fishing opportunity
  • Connecting with passionate anglers who want to give back to the resource they value so much
  • Increasing our ability to engage TU members in conservation by training, educating and building a strong community of angler advocates
  • Connecting with generous donors and helping them give to the fish they cherish and the places they love
  • Helping members connect and communicate with one another via our website, TROUT Magazine and the TU Blog
From the Penobscot in Maine to the South Fork of the Snake in Idaho and west to the Klamath in Oregon and California, TU and its staff and volunteers work on the ground in hundreds of places, protecting, reconnecting and restoring trout and salmon habitat for the benefit of today’s anglers and generations to come.
If you’re interested in becoming a part of TU and giving back to the fish and the places you value, become a member and help us ‘save the world, one trout at a time.’ 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Board Meeting Minutes of Monday October 28th 2013

Steinbeck Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Board Meeting Minutes of Monday October 28th 2013
Meeting Held at Pajaro Valley Rod and Gun Club

The Board of Directors meeting was called to order by President Geoff Malloway at 7:12 pm.
Seven Board Members and Officers, two members and one teen advisor were in attendance.

President Malloway-Present
Secretary Blevins-Present
Treasurer Fischer-Absent
Board Member Greenbaum-Present
Board Member Kobara-Absent
Board Member Loomis- Present
Board Member Pavlet- Present
Board Member Jackson-Present
Board Member Hilbert-Present

The Treasury Report was given by member Tim Frahm. EIN# has been acquired. President Malloway agreed to contact Union Bank along with the Monterey Federal Credit Union to see which financial institution better suits our needs. A suggestion was made to have the officers and one board member on the bank signature list. Board Member Greenbaum volunteered to be the fourth signature on the list. Motion was made by board member Pavlet to accept President Malloway, Secretary Blevins, Treasurer Fischer, and board member Greenbaum for bank signature list. Motion was seconded by board member Loomis. Motion Passed Unanimously.

Discussion occurred over the matter of transferring members at large into the Steinbeck Country Chapter. Member Davidson agreed to contact Trout Unlimited for the most up to date membership list of those falling within zip codes that the chapter’s territory covers. Member Frahm can send a letter to Trout unlimited requesting that the members wish to be in Steinbeck Country Chapter are transferred in. At this time prospective at large members will also have the option of transferring into the Steinbeck Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

On the topic of the tree of heaven project, a key has been acquired to begin scouting on November 10th. It was decided to meet at Zeph’s One Stop located at 1366 South Main Street, Salinas, Ca 93901. Members will meet at 10am and carpool.

Member Davidson gave a report on the California State Council, which met on October 19 in Reno. The Council’s primary business for the meeting was to elect new leadership. President John Sikora and Vice President Bernie Bahro are both from the El Dorado Chapter.  The new Secretary is former Sac-Sierra Chapter President Kevin Mather. The delegate to the National Leadership Conference is Brian Hines of the Redwood Empire Chapter. The Council also discussed how to improve communications between chapters and with the public. Davidson stated that the chapter should send a representative to all state council meeting once the chapter is up and running.

The state council Meeting discussed implementing a required curriculum for Trout in the Classroom. In order for teachers to have the program in their classroom they are required to go through specific training courses. Board Member Loomis is going to speak with two local teachers about coming to a future meeting to tell us about a similar program they are involved with called STEP.

Member Davidson brought up the need for communication and getting our message out to the public.  There were suggestions made to create a website, facebook page or blog. A subcommittee was started by Member Davidson and Secretary Blevins.

Board Member Loomis brought up for discussion the Fly Fishing Film Tour as a fundraising opportunity for the Steinbeck Country Chapter. This would be held at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz in November, and one other pending venue for a $200 deposit. Board Member Loomis is going to check with the Rio Theater on dates and availability.

Regarding fishing access-
Member Tim Frahm informed the board that the Coastal Watershed Council is trying to get the City of Santa Cruz to change a local ordinance that currently does not allow boating or wading on the San Lorenzo River within city limits. A suggestion was put forth to send a team of chapter members to the city council regarding overturning the current ordinance.

Member Frahm also suggested a clean up project for the Salinas River at the launch area for steelhead and striper season. He also suggested trying to obtain access through the waste water district following suit with the Pajaro River to allow more accessibility. A tentative date to clean up the Salinas River is set for November 17th.

With regards to the upcoming Tree of Heaven and Salinas River Clean Up along with all future projects we must keep Records. We should begin recording the number of miles of water way covered, who volunteered and for how many hours, and the number of pounds in trash collected in order to track our success and progress as explained by members Frahm and Davidson.

Suggestions made to begin raising funds and awareness through:
·        Trout Unlimited’s Embrace a Stream Grant
·        Patagonia Grants
·        Whole Foods Market 5% day or Nickels for Nonprofit fundraiser
·        A video or video series of the chapters local streams and rivers
·        Carmel River Festival & Feast


The Meeting was adjourned by President Malloway at 8:33pm