TU launches San Juan Wilderness campaign

Photo: Michael Robillard

By Kara Armano

Today, Trout Unlimited launched Sportsmen for the San Juan Mountains Wilderness to underscore the importance of protecting public lands for hunting and fishing opportunities. Partnering with conservation groups, businesses, and individuals, Trout Unlimited used the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act to foster supporters across multiple spectrums who understand the need to protect these special places.

The San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act (SJMWA) is a portion of the CORE Act recently introduced by Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse. It will add 60,000 acres of wilderness and special management designations to southwest Colorado permanently protecting habitat for trout, elk, mule deer, Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, Gunnison sage grouse, Canada lynx and many more. The headwaters of the San Miguel, Uncompaghre, and Animas rivers would all be protected including 2.5 miles of native Colorado River cutthroat trout waters. Naturita Canyon, which feeds the San Miguel, will also be protected from mineral leasing ensuring residents in the area have clean drinking water.

Sportsmen are legendary for standing up for important issues, and there is no greater issue than protecting public lands and expanding hunting and fishing opportunities. Anglers can target trout in over 17 miles of streams and many high mountain lakes with the SJMWA additions. Some of the best big-game hunting in the state exists within these landscapes. Hunters can target mule deer, elk, multiple species of big horn sheep and more in these vast backcountry habitats. Corridors are crucial for migration and many of these additions take that into account so big game species have more habitat to thrive. SJMWA is a sportsman’s dream come true.

To learn more, or to sign up for more information go to sportsmenforthesanjuans.org/