December Chapter meeting features Chris Mullin. His Topic: Introduction to Citizens Climate Lobby – A Trout Unlimited Partner in the fight against Climate Change OR “A Simple Solution to Climate Change”

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Chris Mullin grew up in Minnesota, where he enjoyed canoeing and fishing its many lakes, especially the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. His most recent trip there was two years ago with his two brothers and 89-year-old father.  He earned degrees in physics from the University Of Chicago, and Cal Berkeley, and has a deep respect for what science can tell us about the world.  He has watched with growing alarm as climate science has clarified the causes, risks, and potential future of climate change.  He joined Citizens’ Climate Lobby four years ago because it offers a clear path to an effective, bipartisan, market-based solution to the climate crisis.  It feels good to contribute to tangible progress towards making a difference in the world.  

The link to the Zoom meeting will arrive in your email a day or two before the December 14 , 7 pm meeting.

Upgrading Glade Run (12-1-2020)

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In case you missed this “Outdoors” article in the PPG newspaper on November 29th you can Click Here to read all about a major stream improvement project on an important tributary of Dunbar Creek. The story illustrates how many players are involved in a 21st Century project, and the time and effort required to bring it to conclusion. Dale Kotowski of the Chestnut Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited is featured because the Chapter built a similar but smaller passive treatment facility nearby the new one in 2003 and continues to provide crushed limestone to counteract acid mine drainage in other tributaries of Glade Run.

Chapter honors Tom Walsh with a grant to Chatham University (10-11-2020)

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Tom Walsh was the chair of our Conservation Committee until his untimely death last year. Tom’s love for (Little) Pine Creek in the North Hills was unmatched. He organized work parties, stocking, and children’s fishing derbies. Your Board has chosen to honor him by donating $2500 each year for 5 years to support one or more upper-class students at Chatham University who is (are) in the BS Biology program with a focus on “sustainability”. Chatham has an entire campus in the North Hills dedicated to sustainable living (including a trout rearing facility!). Bryan Mathie is working to establish a relation between PWWTU and this aspect of Chatham’s efforts.

Tom was a superior human being and this Memorial Grant will help his name and good works live on.

Steelhead Log for the Tribs (10-3-20)

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If you’re planning trip(s) to the tribs to hunt the wily steelhead this year, consider helping the people who manage the fishery by recording information about your trip: location; stream; weather, stream flow, catch, species, number of anglers, time on the water, which lure, etc. Click here to find out more about the program and sign up to receive a log book (pictured above). Good service, good fun.

PATU and National TU oppose Pennsylvania legislation that would alter many PA environmental policies pertaining to clean water. (10-2-2020)

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As a head’s up: The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is considering a bill (SB619) that changes many aspects of our efforts to ensure clean water in PA. PATU has sent a LETTER to the PA House of Representatives urging them not to go down this road. Click Here for a link to the letter.

John Arway, Retired Executive Director PAFB Commission to speak October 6 (9-17-20)

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Pittsburgh North Area Environmental Council is hosting John Arway in a ZOOM conference on October 6 at 7pm.
John calls it like he sees it and is always an entertaining speaker. You must be registered to attend. Click Here for all the details.

Conservation Opportunity: Keystone 10 M trees Initiative (9-3-20)

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Pennsylvania is sponsoring an effort to plant TEN MILLION TREES. Trees are critical to life as we know it. This project aims to preserve existing trees and plant new ones alongside streams, streets and other sensitive landscapes. Help, of course, is needed. Click Here to go there.

Pebble Mine project suffers a setback (8-30-2020)

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The Trump administration, acting through the Army Corps of Engineers, has put a serious roadblock in the way of the Pebble Mine Project. The Corps of Engineers is requiring that Alaska issue a “certificate of reasonable assurance” that the Pebble Mine will comply with federal and state water quality laws. The Corps cannot issue a wetlands permit to Pebble without having Alaska sign off on it. Click here for an August 28 article from the Alaska Public Media.

URGENT action needed on Pebble Mine permit decision (8-21-20)

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National TU is urging members to rejoin the fight against the Pebble Mine in Alaska. Many of you have supported the resistance to this huge and potentially dangerous project in the past. Action is needed now because our President is considering issuing a permit that would move the mine closer to reality. Click here for a link that will allow you to register your concern.

Chris Wood, President of TU, seeks your input on the proper role of stocking in fisheries management (8-15-20)

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A Note to Trout Unlimited’s volunteers and members from Chris Wood, President: 

Trout Unlimited is developing a new strategic plan, and our approach to fisheries management is an important issue. A review of our approach to stocking is part of the process. While TU’s founding principles on the topic of stocking are clear and have been reaffirmed and expanded upon by the North American Salmonid Policy, there’s room to reconsider our position.

Let’s start with our vision:

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

Let’s end with Chris’s current Bottom Line:

TU has a reasoned priority that is based on science —native fish are paramount, wild fish come second, and stocked fish only belong where they do not harm wild and native salmonids and other native species.

Chris would like to hear from you on the fisheries management challenges you face in your area and how you see them aligning, or not, with TU’s approach to hatcheries. Email Chris Wood ([email protected])

Click Here for more information.

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