Author

Jamie Vaughan

I bring together diverse stakeholders to care for and recover the Great Lakes for future generations.

  • Restoration

    Infrastructure investments bolster reconnection of Bigelow Creek

    A nearly decades-long partnership for watershed restoration in Newaygo County is getting a boost thanks to the passage of the transformational Bipartisan Infrastructure Law combined with steady Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding. Since 2015, a partnership has been underway with Trout Unlimited, the U.S. Forest Service - Huron Manistee National Forests, and the Newaygo County…

  • Conservation From the field

    In Michigan, schoolkids get their hands dirty for healthy trout

    What images come to mind when you picture your schoolyard from childhood? Do you see stark, barren scenes dominated by hardscapes?   Or verdant, lush environments teeming with songbirds and pollinators?  On a hot day last May, Crestwood Elementary School in Michigan took a step toward the second vision thanks to staffers from Trout Unlimited, local partners and the school—as…

  • From the field

    Grand Valley State students shoot ‘Tree Army’ film

    Last fall, Grand Valley State University students from the ‘Producing for Clients’ class worked with Trout Unlimited staff in Michigan to produce a video covering the exciting new initiative called the Rogue River Tree Army. Students filmed footage and interviews over multiple field days as the Tree Army, made up of staff and volunteers, planted thousands of…

  • Community

    Trout Unlimited expands Tree Army to more Michigan watersheds

    Trout Unlimited’s Rogue River Tree Army planted 17,067 trees along rivers and streams throughout the Rogue River watershed over the last two years. Its "soldiers" are just getting started. The Tree Army, which is funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative through the U.S. Forest Service, is made up of TU staff, seasonal work crews and volunteers. This year, the Rogue River Tree Army…

  • Community Featured STREAM Girls Youth

    Trout Unlimited receives EPA grant to expand STREAM Girls

    By Jamie Vaughan Trout Unlimited staff in Michigan are excited to announce the expansion of the STREAM Girls program throughout the state thanks to a recently awarded grant through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Education Program.  The goal of expanding Trout Unlimited’s STREAM Girls Program is to educate more than 275 girls, 35 partners and volunteers, and 1,000 community members…

  • Conservation

    TU restores important ‘pocket’ wetlands in Michigan

    Trout Unlimited recently wrapped up a multi-year project to create and restore critical wetlands in the Rogue River watershed in southern Michigan.  This fall, two more “pocket” wetlands were restored, making a total of four wetland restoration projects over the past three years. Pocket wetlands are small areas that boast large benefits for water quality in this case because of their priority location adjacent to coldwater trout streams.  …

  • Community Diversity Youth

    Meet West Michigan’s newest STREAM Girls

    There’s a new class of STREAM Girls to welcome in West Michigan to thanks to Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore, Trout Unlimited, and some amazing dedicated volunteers.   This month 30 Brownies, juniors, and cadettes attended STREAM Girls camp at the Girl Scouts’ Betsy Cutler House located on Bear Creek in Muskegon, Mich.   Girl Scout Brownies with their certificates and patches.  The girls started their day putting on waders…