And he unveiled the economic and ecological rewards of this leveraged approach, state by state. Statewide, Lahontan habitat shrank from 2,200 miles to 300. But on the Marys River watershed near Elko, Bring Back the Natives invests grants toward exchanging land, purchasing water rights, building fence exclosures, drilling wells, removing culverts and planting 15,000 aspen, chokecherries and alders. The campaign promotes focused cooperation between government agencies, and sets up a way to build partnerships with the private sector, from mining companies to timber corporations. Though it can drive and expand rural economic prosperity, this watershed approach will help restore 183 rare species throughout America.
Trout are sensitive to habitat, needing cold and clean streams.
They form a keystone species that links aquatic plants and animals throughout the watershed. To recover one is to replenish all. For example, helping the Lahontan trout will aid the endangered cui-ui, from which the Pyramid Lake Paiute drew their name and culture. Both depend on grassroots support and partnerships united and directed under one federal law that is up for a rewrite. As a program to generate trust, stability, matching funds, and teamwork, this stands as a model as we debate reauthorizing the Endangered Species Act.