Collaboration for recovery
Recovering the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT) requires collaborative efforts between local communities, landowners and users, state and federal agencies, tribes, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to address the threats of habitat loss and competition, predation and hybridization from non-native trout. Collaboration is key to moving forward with LCT recovery efforts in an era of diverse interests, needs, and political and social realities.
Across the Lahontan Basin, state and federal agencies, tribes, NGOs and other stakeholders are working together to recover LCT throughout its range so that it no longer needs the protections of the Endangered Species Act.
In 2019, the state and federal agencies, tribes, NGOs and other stakeholders working together to achieve LCT recovery updated the goals and objectives in the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Recovery Plan. The Updated Goals and Objectives (UGOs) reflect the current scientific information about LCT biology, habitat needs and threats. The UGOs provide flexibility in implementation and require collaboration to manage or remove threats, protect existing resilient populations and establish additional resilient populations.
Reintroducing LCT back into their native range in accordance with the 2019 UGOs provides us the best opportunity to recover the fish, support indigenous people and their culture, and provide recreational opportunities that benefit sportsmen and state wildlife agencies.
LCT recovery and ranching can work together.
“You’re making habitat for Lahontans, but you also have a nice healthy cool riparian [area] when your cattle are in there.”
Jesse Braatz - Ranch manager at Humboldt Ranch
The purpose of this situation assessment is to gain a more in-depth understanding of both the ecological and social issues and opportunities within the area.
The following summary represents information and perspectives compiled from interviews conducted with 32 individuals representing state and federal agencies, conservation and land management NGOs, private property owners, ranchers, and others with an interest in LCT recovery.