With a new administration in office, we are paying close attention to actions that may threaten the health of our watersheds – crucial for both fish and people – and we reaffirm to you our commitment to implement large-scale restoration projects guided by science and protected by sound policy for the benefit of all Californians.
In his first few weeks in office, President Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, withdrew from Justice 40, the historic environmental justice program under the Environmental Protection Agency, signed a memorandum titled Putting People over Fish: Stopping Radical Environmentalism to Provide Water to Southern California, and ordered, rescinded, then re-emphasized a freeze on all federal grants.
Our organization is partially funded by federal grants which support multi-benefit projects that provide climate resilience, center impacted communities, and benefit fish, water and people. Executive orders like this sow uncertainty, confusion, and a sense of chaos, and there are likely more impactful changes ahead of us.
Additionally, these actions, among others, threaten to undermine critical environmental protections that safeguard the health of California’s watersheds—resources that millions depend on for clean water, thriving fisheries, and economic prosperity. Despite these challenges, CalTrout remains steadfast in advancing solutions rooted in sound science, balanced policy, and trust-based relationships with communities where we work and live.
We are committed to:
- Leading with Science: Our initiatives prioritize data-driven strategies to address climate change and water management challenges.
- Collaborating Powerfully: We build bridges between conservation, agriculture, industry, and local communities to create sustainable solutions where diverse interests thrive together.
- Getting Work Done: We roll up our sleeves and tackle challenges head-on, delivering impactful results through dedication and perseverance.
“Our work, rooted in decades of scientific research, proves that collaborative conservation and economic success go hand in hand,” said Curtis Knight, CalTrout Executive Director. “We are no stranger to hard work and complex challenges, and we are committed to ensuring that California continues to lead in sustainable water management.”
Over the next four years, we recognize there may be a lot of change. Much of this change is also shrouded in uncertainty. One thing we do know for certain: our commitment to the health of California’s rivers and communities is unwavering. We are energized by the opportunities ahead and undeterred by political shifts.
For over fifty years, our organization has stood strong, witnessing numerous administrations and challenges to our cherished ecosystems. Whenever our watersheds and native fish face threats, CalTrout has been there to advocate on their behalf—and we will continue to do so, from our robust policy shop in Sacramento and our added capacity in Washington DC, to our nine regional offices across the state. As we move forward, we invite our partners, supporters, and policymakers to join us in securing a future where California’s water resources sustain both people and nature for generations to come.
Our Beliefs
Our beliefs are the deeply held convictions that underpin the approach to our work. They represent our collective wisdom, experience, and understanding of the world around us. Grounded in optimism and a commitment to continuous learning, our beliefs drive us forward, even in the face of adversity. We believe:
California is remarkable. California is our home. It is also home to many of the most biodynamically diverse and irreplaceable ecosystems on earth. Collaborative leadership in conservation, restoration, and environmental policy makes global impact possible. It is our privilege to protect, care for, and promote this amazing landscape amid unprecedented climate change. We believe that through collaborative leadership in conservation, restoration, and environmental policy, impact at a global level is possible.
Water is life. Like air, water is essential to sustain life. That water, when clean, cold, and free flowing, is fundamental to healthy ecosystems and healthy economic systems. Our ability to collaborate with diverse interests shapes the future of sustainable water access to every corner of our beautiful landscape.
Wild fish are essential to a thriving California. Follow the fish. Healthy fish populations are a key indicator of healthy rivers. When thriving, rivers help transform community health, economic health, and ecological health across our entire state. A healthy California serves as a model nationally and globally for thriving ecosystems.
Science drives solutions. Lead with science. Curiosity and our collective ability to observe, question, adapt and understand are necessary in all we do. Integrating and applying knowledge from all sources, including Indigenous peoples, is necessary to inform our work. Solid science is backed by solid policy. Without rules, protections, and governance, every river—and the life that depends on those rivers—is at risk. Our restoration actions are guided by this ongoing cycle.
Biodiversity is fundamental to resiliency. Biological variability is a form of ecological life support. We rely on healthy ecosystems to provide the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Without biodiversity, all natural systems are at risk of catastrophe.
Collaboration is essential to lasting solutions. We are stronger together. It takes all of us to effect meaningful, landscape-level change. Cultivating a shared understanding of ecosystem health among all California communities, as a holistic approach, is necessary to achieve big goals. We engage, listen to and value all people invested in the rivers of California.
The climate crisis is real. Climate change is the primary challenge before us. Human activity is the principal cause. We engage in landscape-scale, nature-based solutions that offer a blueprint for building resiliency in both natural ecosystems and human economies. We prove humans can support nature in solving the problems we’ve created.
