CAMPAIGNS

RIVERS OF SUCCESS

A popular tenet among biologists is that "everything is connected," and nowhere does this ring more true than when one considers our river and stream ecosystems. From their headwaters to the ocean, rivers and streams are highly valued biologically, recreationally, and economically. The need to understand the ecological importance of river and stream dynamics has never been more important -- drastic changes to these river environments (e.g., water diversion, channelization, and impoundment) are occurring without our knowing the long-term consequences of such actions. FCF is addressing the aquatic resource conservation issues surrounding our flowing waters, from small headwater streams to large rivers, by spearheading a variety of efforts to raise public and legislative awareness.

Native Fish Conservation Areas (NFCAs)

FCF Board members Rick Williams, Fred Harris and David Philipp are authors on a paper published in the June 2011 AFS journal Fisheries. This article is described below and can be downloaded here:

Native Fish Conservation Areas: A Vision for Large-Scale Conservation of Native Fish Communities

Jack E. Williams, Richard N. Williams, Russell F. Thurow, Leah Elwell, David P. Philipp, Fred A. Harris, Jeffrey L. Kershner, Patrick J. Martinez, Dirk Miller, Gordon H. Reeves, Christopher A. Frissell, and
James R. Sedell

Abstract: The status of freshwater fishes continues to decline despite substantial conservation efforts to reverse this trend and recover threatened and endangered aquatic species. Lack of success is partially due to working at smaller spatial scales and focusing on habitats and species that are already degraded. Protecting entire watersheds and aquatic communities, which we term "native fish conservation areas" (NFCAs), would complement existing conservation efforts by protecting intact aquatic communities while allowing compatible uses. Four critical elements need to be met within a NFCA: (1) maintain processes that create habitat complexity, diversity and connectivity; (2) nurture all of the life history stages of the fishes being protected: (3) include a large enough watershed to provide long-term persistence of native fish populations; and (4) provide management that is sustainable over time. We describe how a network of protected watersheds could be created that would anchor aquatic conservation needs in river basins across the country.

Native Fish Conservation Areas (NFCAs) Defined:

Native Fish Conservation Areas (NFCA) can be defined as:

A network of watersheds where management emphasizes conservation and restoration for long-term persistence of native fishes and other aquatic species and allows compatible uses.

A national NFCA system would include a network of watersheds where resource management would emphasize conservation and restoration for long-term viability of native fish communities, while identifying and allowing compatible uses.

Riverwebs Documentary

Together with the National Science Foundation, the Japan and United States Friendship Commission, the US Environmental Protection Agency, The Japan Foundation, and the US Forest Service, FCF has assisted scientist and filmmaker Jeremy Monroe of Freshwaters Illustrated and Dr. Kurt Fausch of Colorado State University in making a unique and exceptional film. The documentary weaves the story of groundbreaking science, a personal tragedy, and the value of the stream ecosystems to both aquatic and terrestrial systems. Unique to this story is that the presentation emanates from the scientists themselves, which provides a deeper examination of their experiences and their love and appreciation of watersheds. The world-class scientists involved in the film were closely connected to the actual filmmaking; likewise the filmmakers were involved in the science. This truly collaborative approach has resulted in a more accurate portrayal of scientists as real people than seen in most science films. This approach promises to broaden Riverwebs’ appeal to a wider and more popular audience than traditional science programming.  The producers of RiverWebs are continuing their efforts to build additional educational programs using the messages in the film.  Screenings of the film have been held at the annual meeting of the North American Benthological Society and the American Fisheries Society.  To learn more, go to http://www.riverwebs.org/

CAMPAIGN CONTACTS

Rick Williams
Fred Harris

Email the Rivers of Success Campaign:
RS at fishconserve.org