The Western Native Trout Initiative (WNTI pronounced “win-tee”) is a public-private Fish Habitat Partnership that works collaboratively across 12 western states to conserve (protect, restore, and enhance) 21 native trout and char species. Formed in 2006 under the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA), WNTI provides a new perspective and impetus to improve the return on investment of the time, money and workforce dedicated to native trout conservation. WNTI is a collaborative, multi-state approach that requires the involvement of a wide range of partners – from public agencies to private individuals to conservation-minded organizations and corporations. WNTI and our partners combine science-based assessments with expert and local knowledge to establish joint priorities for native trout conservation at a landscape scale. Since its inception in 2006, the Western Native Trout Initiative has directed almost $7 million in federal fish habitat funds leveraged with over $57 million public and private matching dollars for 226 priority native trout conservation projects.
With the collaboration and coordination of WNTI partners, together we have removed 163 barriers to fish passage, reconnected or improved 2,072 miles of native trout habitat, and placed 41 protective fish barriers to conserve important native trout conservation populations. In order to ensure our collaborative investments are directed toward the highest priority projects, WNTI has funded over 1,123 watershed, fish population, and habitat surveys and assessed 2,482 stream miles.
WNTI provides a forum for partners to coordinate and invest their collective assets and capacity toward completing the highest-priority, native trout conservation efforts across the West. Proposed and led by local communities and resource agencies, these projects are funded and supported through WNTI’s grant programs and in-kind contributions by our partners.
To serve as a key catalyst for the implementation of conservation or management actions for western native trout, through partnerships and cooperative efforts, resulting in improved species status, improved aquatic habitats, and improved recreational opportunities for native trout anglers across western states.
The Vision of the Western Native Trout Initiative is “An increase in healthy, fishable western native trout, char and kokanee populations resulting from sharper focus and commitment to action on common conservation needs of western native trout; enhanced public benefit resulting from multiple partners working together, sharing resources, and speaking with a united voice about the conservation and value of western native trout; and increased funding to accomplish strategic actions as a result of greater community and financial support from initiative partners and collaborators.”
Proposed and led by local communities and resources agencies, these projects are funded and supported through WNTI’s grant programs and contributions by our partners.
Species’ ranges are generalized on the WNTI projects map in different colors. Each dot on the map represents a WNTI funded project and can be clicked to view more detailed information about project location, project description, project status, funding amount and other contributors, and a link to the project final report. There is a search bar in the upper left corner where you can search for projects by species or by project name.
Learn more about these beautiful, iconic species that have captured the hearts of anglers, writers and scholars, and the work being done to protect, restore, and enhance their habitats.
WNTI works to achieve our mission and vision through collaboration with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal natural resource agencies, regional and local governments, nonprofit organizations and private landowners to focus limited financial and human resources toward the highest-impact, locally-led, on-the-ground projects.
An Initiative of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA), WNTI is also recognized as a National Fish Habitat Partnership by the National Fish Habitat Action Plan. We are governed by a steering committee representing all 12 western state fish and wildlife agencies, 3 federal natural resource agencies, Native American Tribes, Canadian provincial fish and wildlife agencies, and Trout Unlimited and have partnered with over 350 organizations, nonprofits and businesses to date.
The Foundation for Western Fish and Wildlife is WNTI’s 501c3 fiscal sponsor and accepts tax-exempt donations on our behalf. 100% of donations go toward western native trout projects. You can help us conserve western native trout!
