A triumph of collaboration and conservation, restoring a species once on the brink.

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has announced the removal of the Apache trout from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife. After more than five decades of recovery efforts by federal, state, Tribal, and conservation partners—supported by $5.1 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda—this historic moment marks the first time a sportfish and trout species has been delisted due to successful recovery efforts under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Secretary Haaland joined Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, White Mountain Apache Tribe Chairman Kasey Velesquez, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Director Siva Sundaresan, and other conservation partners in a celebration held in Mesa, Arizona. The restoration of the Apache trout is not only a success for the species itself but a powerful example of the impact collaborative conservation efforts can have when they incorporate Indigenous Knowledge and effective governmental partnerships.

“After more than 50 years of devoted efforts among federal, state, Tribal, and non-governmental organizations, the incredible recovery of the Apache trout reminds us of the transformational power that collaborative conservation efforts—grounded in Indigenous Knowledge—can have on fish and wildlife,” said Secretary Haaland. “This recovery is a testament to the importance of the Endangered Species Act and its tools and resources that are allowing the Interior Department and the federal government to protect vital species in every corner of America.”

The Apache trout, native to the White Mountains of eastern Arizona and sacred to the White Mountain Apache Tribe, was listed as endangered in 1973 due to habitat loss and the introduction of non-native species. Today, thanks to ongoing efforts such as habitat restoration, reintroduction, and the removal of invasive species, the trout’s populations have increased from 14 populations occupying 30 miles of habitat in 1979 to 30 populations occupying 175 miles today.

Funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has been crucial to this success. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners have reopened more than 60 miles of habitat, helping to reinforce conservation efforts. Significant projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, such as the Apache Trout Recovery Fish Passage Infrastructure Project and the Crooked Creek Route 55 Culvert Fish Passage Project, led by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, further enabled the recovery of the species.

Though the Apache trout has now recovered, ongoing management is necessary to ensure its long-term survival. Conservation partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and Trout Unlimited, will continue working under a cooperative management plan to prevent hybridization with non-native species and maintain habitat protections.

The Endangered Species Act has been instrumental in preventing 99% of listed species from going extinct, and the Apache trout’s delisting is one of over 100 success stories credited to the Act. More species are stable or improving today thanks to this collaborative conservation model.

The final rule concerning the delisting of the Apache trout will be available soon in the Federal Register and on regulations.gov by searching under docket number FWS-R2-ES-2022-0115. This milestone serves as a reminder of the powerful outcomes that can be achieved when communities, governments, and conservationists work together to protect and restore species for future generations.