Improvement in local streamwater quality is expected to be among the benefits as artificial intelligence drives an app that will make anglers’ photos about much more than bragging rights.

The free TroutSpotter app that identifies and tracks individual fish will launch in the spring through the Trout Unlimited website — tu.org — and will allow the national nonprofit to put its thousands of members to work helping researchers spot trends in coldwater fish populations.

A Beautiful Mess: Felling trees in a Tennessee National Forest to replicate what nature used to do

Lancaster city-based Donegal Trout Unlimited’s Trout in the Classroom program started in 2006 and has expanded into 20 schools across Lancaster County, including Wharton and Wheatland Middle in the School District of Lancaster.

The award-winning work continues even today at the nonprofit Millport Conservancy in Warwick Township where some of the first fledgling restoration work began in 1990 after the grassroots Donegal Chapter of Trout Unlimited showed up with shovels and crowbars to begin changing the stream for the better.

Matt Wilson is a stream and restoration ecologist who dwells on the works of nature, then mimics them for healing streams.

So when he read about successful efforts in the Pacific Northwest to build artificial beaver dams to improve water quality in streams, he naturally jumped on the idea and determined to try it himself.

…the nonprofits, including all the environmental groups, participating in the day of giving this year at extragive.org. The minimum donation for Extra-Give is $10, and ExtraGive Day is a particularly impactful time to give — participating organizations receive a share of “stretch pool” funds from event sponsors that is proportional to that organization’s number of unique donors.

When 14-year-old Bobby Brandt gets home from Manheim Township Middle School every day, he’s likely going to one of two places. To his room to tie flies for trout fishing. Or to Lititz Run in the Millport Conservancy to use some of those flies he tied to fish for trout. “It’s Bobby’s way of life,” said his mother, Kathryn Brandt. “He’s a fisherman.”

Earlier this fall, Bobby Brandt became the youngest member of the U.S. Angling Youth Fly Fishing Team.

Lancaster County’s intense farming has become both a blessing and a curse. Some of the richest soil on earth has earned the county the nationally known “Garden Spot” moniker. But no other county in the six states and District of Columbia that drain into the Chesapeake Bay delivers such a harmful blow of polluting soil and nutrients to ongoing efforts to improve the Bay.

October is Lancaster's third annual Riparian Buffer Month! So, what does that mean for Donegal Trout Unlimited? Since one of our most cost-effective and time-tested practices to restore streams is planting streamside trees, we love to champion riparian buffers whenever we can.

Updates from Claire Landis, Donegal Trout Unlimited President During the initial half of my presidency, I dedicated myself to advancing the initiatives of my predecessor, Garry Longenecker, with a primary focus on strengthening the internal structure of our organization.

When recent heavy rains pummeled the Northeast, the immediate priority was safety for the region’s residents. Now that deadly flood waters have receded, New Englanders are grappling with both the emotional scars of the devastation to lives and property and assessing the damage and moving forward toward recovery.

The DTU Nursery is undergoing relocation, shifting from Millport Conservancy to the PennState South East Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SEAREC) located at 1446Auction Rd in Rapho Township. The expansive 155-acre SEAREC houses an impressive array of over 50 projects, experimenting with diverse ideas and methods related to farming crops, annual and perennial flowers, and various horticultural crops.

Moreover, it serves as a showcase where farmers, industry professionals, consumers, and students can witness experiments and seek advice from scientists.

Thanks to the PA Fish and Boat Commission, 32 new Wild Trout Waters and 18 Class A Wild Trout Waters have been proposed for upgraded designation. With your help, we can secure protections for these additional streams from development and pollution.

The Fishing Derby, organized by DTU members in collaboration with the Lancaster Special Olympics, took place on Saturday, June 17th. The event was hosted at Hugh Wenger's residence in Elizabethtown and planned by lead organizers Hugh, Claire Landis (President of DTU), and Tony Watts (member of the Special Olympics Leadership Team). A total of 10 Olympians, accompanied by their guests, participated in the derby, receiving assistance from 29 dedicated DTU volunteers.

On June 10th, Greg Wilson was honored at Drumore Township Park for his contributions to the Fishing Creek Watershed. In 2010, Greg, with the help of DTU and the Friends of Fishing Creek Watershed Association, started to improve the area.

On April 8th, VSP held a Fly Fishing Kickoff at Millport Conservancy. Veterans and their families were invited. The group continues to meet throughout the year.