Investing in the Conservation and Recovery of New Mexico's Native Cutthroat Trout: How the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Influenced Native Species Conservation in Northern New Mexico

The Turner organization is guided by a philosophy of conserving biological diversity within an economically sustainable land management framework.  While we emphasize the role private lands must play in native species conservation, relationships and collaboration with public agencies are critical and have been the catalyst behind many of our successful projects.  In 2009, Vermejo Park Ranch was awarded an ARRA grant through USFWS Partners Program to facilitate native cutthroat trout conservation in the Vermejo River.  We believe the grant was awarded in part because of our past successes and good relationship with USFWS.  Objectives were to increase numbers of native trout; remove competing and hybridizing species; improve fish barriers; and identify habitat limitations.  Several thousand non-native competitors and significant numbers of hybrid fish were removed under this grant.  Native cutthroat numbers and genetic status improved after two years of treatment.  Fish barriers were stabilized and a fish screen installed to prevent continued invasion by rainbow trout.  This project would not have occurred without ARRA support, but has continued after the grant expired.  While the ARRA administrative process was difficult at times, our overall experience was positive and the program provided substantive, positive results for native cutthroat trout.