Five rural communities from across the country are staking their futures on conservation
In America’s “Conservation Towns,” rural communities that survived the past century’s boom-and-bust cycles are building new blueprints for economic success by tapping into their most important assets: the rivers and streams, public lands and wild landscapes that have always sustained them.
At Trout Unlimited, we are putting a spotlight on these communities at the heart of the work we do to care for and recover rivers and streams, because the leaders in these communities embody the conservation spirit and model what it means to be a champion for your rivers, your communities and your fisheries.
2026 Champion: Philipsburg, Montana
Nestled along the Continental Divide in southwest Montana, Philipsburg rose to the top as our first Conservation Towns champion.
Philipsburg weathered the boom-and-bust cycles of silver and sapphire mining until the final bust at the end of the 20th century. What remained were dozens of abandoned mines scattered across the national forests, neighboring ghost towns, and a community worried about its future. Down the road near Anaconda, the Upper Clark Fork’s tributaries were particularly degraded. They became part of the largest geographic complex of Superfund sites in the country.
A band of proud local people never gave up on their community. They worked to revitalize their economy by reinvesting in what makes the area unique: its wild landscapes and public lands, its Blue Ribbon fisheries, and a deep sense of place.
As the self-proclaimed “Last Best Place in the Last Best Place,” Philipsburg realized it could continue to live off the land by shifting its focus from industries of the past century to recreation and restoration.
Since 2010, more than $9 million has been invested by TU and agency partners across 50+ restoration projects throughout Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Lolo National Forests, Bureau of Land Management lands, and watersheds such as the Upper Clark Fork River and Flint and Rock Creeks More projects are on the horizon.
2026 Honorable Mentions
2. Gunnison, Colorado: TU is also working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to test Auto Tarp technology that allows irrigators to remotely control headgates for more efficient water management.
The system was developed by a TU staff member in his garage after experiencing the impacts of persistent drought in the valley and recognizing the technology’s potential for ranchers. To date, eight ranches in the Gunnison and Rio Grande watersheds have implemented the system, with additional operations expected to adopt the technology in the coming years. Discover Gunnison, CO >
3. Fort Bragg, California: Fort Bragg is helping lead the way with its emerging “Blue Economy” vision—recognizing that a thriving coastal economy depends on healthy ecosystems.
By investing in habitat restoration, sustainable fisheries and working waterfronts, the community is showing how conservation and economic vitality can go hand in hand. Discover Fort Bragg, CA >
4. Florence, Wisconsin: Residents of Florence and the county of the same name take pride in the area’s wild remoteness. The Pine and Popple rivers are two of the county’s crown jewels.
The winding, scenic rivers draw lots of paddlers and are so appreciated by locals that they inspired the construction of the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center, a joint project of the U.S. Forest Service and the town of Florence. While those two rivers get a little too warm in the heat of summer, trout from many tributaries move between the fertile larger rivers and the smaller, cooler streams.
It’s amazing angling with light pressure. Collaborating with a host of partners, TU has been making things even better by working hard to improve the health of the area’s streams. Discover Florence, WI >
5. Rockland, New York: Roscoe, a small hamlet within Rockland, has adopted the moniker “Trout Town USA.” The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor — another Rockland hamlet — celebrates a rich angling history and culture that just keeps getting better.
Trout and trout angling are a cornerstone of the local economy. Municipal leaders and area residents in and around Roscoe and Livingston Manor have eagerly collaborated with TU and other partners, including Friends of the Upper Delaware, New York Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a vast array of restoration projects on local waterways, including the famed Beaver Kill and Willowemoc Creek. Discover Rockland, NY >
Why recognize Conservation Towns?
Each of the communities listed above is an example of the cooperation, compromise and dedication needed to succeed in conservation.
While no individual community has all the answers, together they represent the initiative and drive happening across rural America every day from which others can learn. In short, these are the towns rolling up their sleeves, getting dirt under their fingernails and doing the work for future generations to enjoy our nation’s incredible public lands and waters.