Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Habitat Protection

Lahontan cutthroat trout are a threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act. In 1970, they were listed as Endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act, but in 1975, the listing was downgraded to Threatened to allow for more flexible management. 

The Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Instant Study Area (ISA) was established in 1973 to ensure the preservation of this threatened species of fish, in its natural habitat and to maximize spawning areas. Interestingly, this is the purest strain of Lahontan Cutthroat (LCT) that remains (wildlife officials used fish from this population to restock the struggling population at Pyramid Lake and in the Truckee River). To protect the water quality, over 2,000 acres (20 percent of the study area) were fenced to exclude livestock from the stream headwaters. In 2022, we are headed out there to repair some sections of the fence that have been damaged, allowing livestock and horses to enter the area and damage this important habitat. 

As always, this project is free! We will be providing breakfast with coffee Saturday and Sunday as well as a delicious dinner on Saturday night. We have camping gear available for those who need it. The road to the project area requires 4 wheel drive and high clearance. We will have limited space in Friends trucks to transport volunteers and carpooling is an option as well. 

The Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Instant Study Area (ISA) is on part of the ancestral homelands of the Summit Lake Paiute Tribe (Agai Panina Ticutta) and adjacent to their current sovereign territory. The Tribe has played a major role in the protection and ongoing restoration of this fish that holds cultural significance for them. The fish composed a large part of tribal members’ diets and were the focus of many cultural gatherings. Summit Lake is closed to non-tribal members, and tribal members are limited in how many fish they can catch. Currently, Summit Lake is home to the only self-sustaining, robust, lake population of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.

Information:

Difficulty: Moderate: The project involves carrying heavy loads, working with barbed wire, repetitive movements, and using tools such as shovels, wire clippers, fence clippers, and rollers. 

Location: Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Instant Study Area, Mahogany Canyon

Dates: Friday, July 8th - Sunday, July 10th

Travel: Leave Reno at 12 pm on Friday, returning Sunday afternoon. High Clearance and 4x4 are required to reach the campsite. A limited number of spots available in Friends trucks

Food: Breakfast and coffee provided on Saturday and Sunday, big group dinner Saturday night!

Gear/Clothing: Please wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toed shoes. Long sleeves, long pants, sturdy work or hiking shoes. Camping equipment: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad. Camping gear available for loan 

More Details: Further details such as daily schedule and weather-related factors will be provided to those who have RSVP'd on a date much closer to the project. 

RSVP is required to participate

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