The National Fish Habitat Partnership (www.fishhabitat.org) is excited to announce its “Waters to Watch” list for 2024. This annual list represents a collection of strategic conservation efforts implemented on rivers, streams, estuaries, and lakes to protect, restore, or enhance fish habitat.

These voluntary, locally-driven projects represent some of the top conservation activities completed or in progress by 20 regionally-based Fish Habitat Partnerships throughout the country. These projects are carried out under the goals and objectives of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan. These conservation projects conserve freshwater, estuarine, and marine habitats essential to many fish and wildlife species. 

 Over 150 Fish Habitat Partnership Waters to Watch projects have been featured since 2007 and demonstrate science-based, on-the-ground conservation efforts protecting or improving fish habitat across the United States. 

“These projects, which focus on the protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish habitats across the country, are a great example of collaborative conservation implemented through the National Fish Habitat Partnership,” said Robert Boyles, Chairman of the National Fish Habitat Board. “Our partnerships, under our national effort, are a model of working together with various partners to improve fishing and habitat for fish for the enjoyment of all Americans.”

Annually, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides both funding and technical assistance to the 20 Fish Habitat Partnerships across the country to aid in implementing aquatic conservation projects nationwide. The work of the National Fish Habitat Partnership is also supported broadly by many federal, state, tribes, local agencies, and conservation organizations.

Learn more about the National Fish Habitat Partnership, partner projects happening across the U.S., and how to get involved on our Partnerships page; by visiting the following website: http://www.fishhabitat.org/the-partnerships/.

The 2024 Waters to Watch list and associated Fish Habitat Partnerships:

• Cochiti Reservoir, NM – Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership
• Jenny Creek, CA – California Fish Passage Forum
• Kickapoo Watershed, WI – Fishers and Farmers Partnership
• Zangle Cove Bulkhead Removal, WA – Pacific Marine and Estuarine Partnership

For more information and descriptions of the “Waters to Watch” list for 2024 as well as other annual projects, visit: https://fishhabitat.org/waters-to-watch.
 
Since 2006, NFHP has implemented over 1,500 conservation projects in all 50 states, generating over $380 million in leveraged funding. NFHP conservation projects have reconnected more than 9,800 miles of rivers and streams while conserving over 70,000 acres of river, lake, riparian, upland, estuary, and wetland habitat. 

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About the National Fish Habitat Partnership:
Since 2006, NFHP has supported over 1,500 projects benefiting fish habitat throughout all 50 states. This effort works to conserve fish habitat nationwide, leveraging federal, state, tribal, and private funding resources to achieve the greatest effect on fish populations through priority conservation projects of 20 Fish Habitat Partnerships that are organized around key fish species, geographic areas, or important fish habitats. In 2020, NFHP was recognized by Congress as part of the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act. NFHP guidance and policies are developed in conjunction with our partnerships and National Fish Habitat Board. For more information, visit: https://fishhabitat.org/.