Brook trout are a recreationally important species, with anglers bringing thousands of dollars to local economies.  There are also a regional icon, and are the championed species for conservation of cold water aquatic ecosystems in the East.  Shockingly, brook trout occupy less than 30% of their historic range and their threats are only increasing. In 2004, state and federal agencies, conservation groups and academics formed the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV). The EBTJV has been promoting meaningful conservation, science, and recovery projects that are showing real conservation benefits. 

EBTJV is the only conservation organization devoted entirely to wild brook trout and is working to combat this decline.  EBTJV’s vision is “healthy coldwater systems with fishable Brook Trout populations throughout their historic eastern geographic range”.  To achieve this, EBTJV leverages the capacity and expertise of 16 state management agencies ranging from Georgia to Maine, 4 federal agencies, and several NGOs including Trout Unlimited.  

EBTJV provides funding annually to on-the-ground management projects designed to conserve and restore critical brook trout habitat.  EBTJV has also created and continues to update the most comprehensive distribution map of brook, brown, and rainbow trout occupancy across their entire eastern range.  This map is foundational for scientific research and modeling as well as for directing on-the-ground management and outreach.  EBTJV also brings together the leading brook trout scientists in the country to ensure their research is shared with managers and the most pressing management questions are addressed in future work.