Partners in the Upper Blackfoot Confluence (UBC) met recently to review a list of stream restoration projects proposed by agencies, such as Idaho Department of Fish & Game, and the UBC project manager, Trout Unlimited, including approval of project funding for the year. The UBC partners recently approved over $275,000 to be invested in projects to be started and/or completed in 2024. Part of that funding includes dedicated technical and community outreach support from Hannah Murphy, the new Southeast Idaho Project Manager for Trout Unlimited, whose enthusiasm and collaborative spirit promise to drive forward restoration and conservation efforts in the region.
Murphy, who has a stream restoration background, expressed a keen interest in expanding her knowledge about fish and their habitats. "I'm most excited about learning more about Yellowstone cutthroat trout and other fish species" she said. "In my previous positions, I did stream restoration work, but fish weren't necessarily a priority. Here, I get to focus on stream restoration that specifically benefits fish."
Her approach is deeply collaborative, acknowledging the diverse stakeholders involved in UBC projects. "It's a unique partnership collaboration, and everyone has individual and group goals," Murphy noted. She emphasized the importance of respecting and working with these varying interests, especially when addressing practical issues like fencing and stream crossings.
Murphy's strategy involves a careful, data-driven approach to restoration. She plans to "chip away at a big landscape, little by little," focusing initially on areas like Diamond and Kendall Creeks. By leveraging data, she aims to identify and prioritize tributaries and upland areas of the Upper Blackfoot River watershed that would most benefit from project work and restoration.
Her dedication to fostering relationships is evident in her proactive engagement with different partners in Caribou County since starting her role at Trout Unlimited. "I've met more people in the last six months across the landscape than I did in probably years with my previous position," she remarked. This network-building is crucial for the success of the UBC projects, ensuring that the goals of individual stakeholders are met while advancing the overarching mission of restoring habitat for Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the Upper Blackfoot River watershed.
Historically, native Yellowstone cutthroat trout thrived in the Upper Blackfoot River. Over the years, human activity has degraded key river habitat, and fish populations declined. The UBC partnership was founded in 2012 as a voluntary stewardship project solely focused on reversing this trend. UBC’s efforts have opened 25 miles of historic spawning habitat and improved the overall health of the upper watershed.
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