There are 190 species of native freshwater fishes in Texas, and of these, 90 are considered species of greatest conservation need. In the face of a changing climate, many of these species are increasingly vulnerable to ecological shifts, such as increased occurrence and severity of drought. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is working to protect these species by targeting adaptation strategies for drought, particularly along (current and forecasted) arid rivers.

Increasing drought affects both the timing and regularity of flows and water levels necessary to support spawning and other freshwater fish habitat requirements. In addition, complex interactions are expected to occur between climate change and existing anthropogenic stressors, such as invasive species, watershed alteration, river fragmentation, and pumping of groundwater and surface water, making it difficult to parse out the relative magnitude of climate effects. To work in such a complicated and vulnerable space means taking a watershed-level approach to freshwater fish conservation and management.

Under these unprecedented challenges, TPWD and partners developed the Texas Native Fish Conservation Areas Network . The Network serves as a catalyst for collaborative, landscape-scale, and science-based stewardship of aquatic habitats uniquely valued in preservation of the diversity of Texas freshwater fishes, including springs, ci é negas, creeks, rivers, and associated watersheds.

Who Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, University of Texas at Austin, numerous national, statewide, regional, and local partners, Fish Habitat Partnerships, universities, conservation organizations, angling and paddling clubs, and landowners

When 2013-Present

How Funded through federal, state, and private funding available through TPWD, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of Agriculture, Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, Desert Fish Habitat Partnership, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Wildlife Management Institute, and other sources of project-based funding

The Network has also facilitated partnership development, coordinated multispecies, watershed-based conservation planning, and leveraged technical and financial resources toward strategic conservation investments, such as restoration and preservation of riparian habitats, restoration of instream and floodplain connectivity, control of invasive species, and establishment of conservation demonstration areas. The work being implemented within the Network represents proactive and voluntary measures that enhance the resiliency and adaptive capacity of native freshwater fishes in Texas. As a holistic approach, it responds to the multitude of interrelated natural and anthropogenic stressors affecting fish and wildlife resources, including climate change.

To assign conservation value to Texas freshwater systems, species distribution models, multispecies aquatic assessments, and conservation prioritizations were assembled by the University of Texas at Austin. These products were based on fish species richness and representation of rare species, aquatic connectivity relative to species biology, and threats to aquatic systems. Through this work, the Network identified 20 Native Fish Conservation Areas to focus their efforts.

Since 2013, 187 sites have been surveyed by TPWD and the University of Texas at Austin within the Native Fish Conservation Areas Network to monitor the status and trends focal species and habitats. Additionally, TPWD has partnered with other universities, local conservation organizations, and landowners to design and implement project-based monitoring in conjunction with individual habitat restoration and native fish repatriation projects.

It will come as no surprise that the greatest opportunity for project success has also been its greatest challenge: the ability to build partnerships and capacity among local conservation organizations, landowners, communities, and recreational users to act as local stewards. Ensuring that all the voices are brought to the table, that trust is built among stakeholders, and that capacity is increased by those working on-the-ground is critical for ensuring not only successful, but long-lasting solutions are realized in the face of a changing climate.

It's important to not be afraid to start small. Conduct a pilot project within a sub-watershed where you have committed and enthusiastic partners (i.e. local landowner alliances, supportive community partners) and an initial set of restoration or preservation projects that can be completed in a relatively short amount of time (2-3 years). Using the success of the pilot project to demonstrate and provide proof-of-concept will help to leverage transferable projects to other sub-watersheds and coordinate action at watersheds scales.

Learn more Native Fish Conservation Network | Progress in Implementation of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan in Texas

Contact Timothy Birdsong, Chief of Habitat Conservation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Inland Fisheries Division