Aquatics News & Stories
New River Conservancy - New River Symposium 2026
2026 New River Symposium at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC from April 9 – April 10, 2026.
Aquatic Connectivity Framework Update
In June 2024, the USDA announced an unprecedented investment in WLFW, including the launch of an Aquatic Connectivity Framework. This ecosystem-level plan transitions WLFW’s aquatic efforts from single-species initiatives to a broader landscape-scale approach across 16 states. The written framework plan will capture the science documenting the threats to biomes and the wildlife that are part of them, the conservation actions that NRCS can support to address these threats and benefit producers, and the NRCS goals for implementing these actions over time. The framework also is a way to guide the work of NRCS state offices, provide technical and financial assistance for on the ground conservation, and influence local, state and federal conservation policies.
First-of-Its-Kind Study Inventories New Mexican Beaver Dams
As part of Defenders of Wildlife’s beaver conservation initiative, a new survey, which has never been conducted in New Mexico, reveals an uneven distribution of beaver dams — and the sub-sequential ecological benefits — throughout the state. Commissioned by Defenders, the survey is a critical tool for the future of strategic beaver and water conservation New Mexico.
Cozying Up for Winter: The Bog Turtle’s Seasonal Slumber
While we sip hot cocoa, these remarkable reptiles tuck themselves away, waiting for the warmth of spring to awaken their vibrant world again.
What to Expect During a Conservation Project: A Landowner’s Perspective
Taking on a conservation project is a meaningful way to improve the health of your land while contributing to the broader environmental good. However, the process can seem complex and unfamiliar at first. Understanding what to expect can help you approach the project with confidence and clarity. This guide walks through each journey stage, offering a detailed look at what happens and how you’ll play a central role.
The Role of Fish Passage Structures in River Health
Barriers disrupt everything from water quality to biodiversity, creating far-reaching consequences for aquatic life and the surrounding environment.
How to Partner with ACF to Make a Difference
Whether you’re part of an organization, a private landowner, or a planner, your involvement is the key to unlocking the full potential of this transformative effort. This guide offers a roadmap to joining forces with ACF and making a lasting impact for future generations.
Hellbender Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection: A Call to Action for Aquatic Conservation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed to protect the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal addresses the dramatic decline in Hellbender populations due to habitat loss, water pollution, and other factors. The proposal builds on years of collaborative conservation work and scientific study, highlighting the need to safeguard this species to maintain the health of freshwater ecosystems. This proposed rule would extend protection to hellbenders across their range, from New York to Georgia.
Forests Protect Our Waterways
Healthy waterways are at the heart of thriving landscapes, and as a landowner, you play a crucial role in keeping these waterways clean and vibrant. Streams and rivers do more than carry water; they nourish crops, support livestock and wildlife, and help maintain the health of our communities. One of nature's most effective guardians of these waterways is the riparian buffer—a belt of trees, shrubs, and grasses alongside rivers and streams. These forested buffers are powerful natural solutions that filter pollution, stabilize stream banks, and provide vital habitats for many species—all while adding value to your land.
The Southeast is Perfect for the Aquatic Connectivity Framework
The Southeastern United States is an absolute gem in terms of freshwater diversity. The rivers and streams here are bursting with life, making this region one of the country's most biodiverse places for freshwater species. The Southeast is home to around 600 freshwater fish species, 500 of which are endemic. This region is a global hotspot for freshwater biodiversity, making the Aquatic Connectivity Framework (ACF) an excellent fit for the Southeast. We aim to protect and restore these incredible aquatic habitats through a landscape-scale Working Lands for Wildlife approach.
A New Partnership between the ACF and SARP
The Aquatic Connectivity Framework (ACF) and the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) are excited to announce a new partnership to enhance aquatic habitat connectivity on private lands across the Southeast. This collaboration leverages the unique strengths of both organizations to address barriers that obstruct aquatic organisms from accessing critical habitats.
Addressing Sedimentation Threats
Rivers and streams are the lifeblood of our environment, home to a stunning array of wildlife, from fish and amphibians to the aquatic insects that form the foundation of the food chain. However, these ecosystems are under growing threat from sedimentation and siltation. When excess soil and fine particles wash into waterways, they cloud the water, smother habitats, and disrupt the delicate balance that sustains aquatic life. The consequences ripple throughout the food chain, from the tiniest insects to the largest fish, threatening sensitive species like the Eastern hellbender and endangering fisheries.
