Awards, CX3 & More - Read On!
WCTU is honoring volunteerism through ANNUAL AWARDS
Don't forget to nominate an individual or chapter that you think deserves one of these awards!
Deadline for all nominations is August 1, 2023.
If you have a member, chapter, AEG or council member you want recognized with an AWARD at the WCTU October 14th State Council Meeting, time is running out to get your nomination in!

Deadline is August 1st, 2023 for this year's award nominations!
The Chinook Awards for Conservation & Advocacy Excellence
  1. The Chinook Award to a WA Trout Unlimited member
  2. The Chinook Award to a WA Chapter or Alternative Engagement Group 

The Steelhead Awards for Special leadership/commitment to excellence.
  1. The Tim Gavin “Steelhead Award” to a WA Trout unlimited member.
  2. The Phoenix “Steelhead Award” / to a WA Chapter or Alternative Engagement Group 

Here is the link for Award descriptions and criteria - HERE.
Here is the link for nominating form- HERE

Of note the "Tim Gavin Steelhead Award" will be presented at the CX3 awards night on Friday 9/29 - 5pm. Tim's son will present the award and one of his brothers will also be present. For more information on CX3 Awards- Click Here
And that's a Wrap for the 2023 NW Youth Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp!!
What an amazing week these campers had, with everything from water safety, swimming, rafting, canoeing, fly casting, fly tying, entomology, fish biology, knot tying, fisheries conservation & stewardship, which fly to use, tactics and techniques, river and lake fly fishing, catch and release "Keep em wet", Ethics and Etiquette. WHEW!! Visit the NWYCFFA website for more photos from this year's camp experience; just scroll through the front page reel - Click Here
This camp would not be possible without our financial Donors & all the incredibly talented Directors, Instructors and Volunteers who work so hard to pull this off...........
HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL!!!
Donors: Washington Council of TU, Fly Fishing International, NW Fly Fishing Clubs, TU Chapters, the Echo Fly Rod Co. Gig Harbor Fly Shop and very special individuals.
Directors: Bruce Merighi, John Gravendyk, & Carol Anderson
Instructors: Don Freeman, David Oliver, Molly Semenik, Marian Giannulis, J Michelle Swope, Janet Schimpf, Jim Mcallister, Matthew Brown Sr., Mike Koslosky, Emily Garlich, Dan Spencer, Kela Hall-Wieckert, Blake Merin, Grady Graham.
Volunteers: Andy Lueck, Matthew Brown, Tom Case, Chris Madison, Michael Merringer, Neal Hoffberg, David Oliver, Dr. Harry Griffith, Jeff Norman.
Academy Leader: Matt Tuttle
Ghilles: Wriley, Cassidy, & Elijah
TU National Meeting CX3 =
Right here in Spokane WA. Get CX3- INFO HERE
Sept. 27th - Oct. 1, 2023. Don't Miss this Great Opportunity to network with other TU leaders from around the country. BE THERE!!
COMMUNITY X 
COLDWATER X
CONSERVATION

Photo Credit - Michael Visintainer Silver Bow Fly Shop. The beautiful Redband Trout - Spokane River
The WCTU is asking Chapters to budget NOW as time is running out, to help at least one or two of your chapter leaders attend this amazing event right here in our state. CHAPTERS - this is a perfectly acceptable chapter expense to budget under membership growth and engagement, as it is a powerful way to learn and connect with leaders across the country on successful tips, tools and new programs.

We won't get this chance again for a very long time, and it means not only showcasing what WA Trout Unlimited is all about but also networking with other leaders from around the country!! The CX3 event will feature fun for all and is a family event. The website is being updated often and is now live for registration. So keep checking and visit often to get registered. GO HERE

Here is a great opportunity to get 50% off the admission price of the meeting, which includes all your meals and all the events. Just volunteer and work 4 hrs or more at the event to receive $175 off the $350 fee for the entire event. That's a great deal and if you are interested put your name on the list by contacting Bruce Merighi HERE. 

You can also register for CX3 under the free category which Includes access to all conference sessions, presentations and free activities. Individual meals, fishing trips and other special events can be purchased separately. View full event lineup HERE
TU volunteers from the Olympia Chapter organized an invasive weed removal project at a restoration site in Washington’s Chehalis River Basin this June.
Both staff and Olympia chapter volunteers joined forces to get rid of Spotted Jewelweed from a riparian habitat site where a recent fish passage replacement project was completed. This was a great example of TU staff and volunteers working together to get the job done!! Read more about it in this article by Greg Fitz, TU West Coast Communications director and member of the Olympia Chapter.
Read more here. Photo credit Greg Fitz for TU
Klickitat Alternative Engage Group (KAEG) Continues with Amazing work with Partners and Youth engagement!
Storyboard Display showing off all the work going on in the Klickitat AEG. The Mile One project with the USFS and Lyle School TU Explorers Day June 28th, and youth engagement programs through the Wishram School District. Here is a great article in the Goldendale Sentinel. To read more Click Here

Congratulations Klickitat AEG and many thanks to co-chairs of the Klickitat AEG - Laurie Wilhite and Tony Paolino for all your hard work!! Great job!!
Working Hard to restore Snake River wild salmon and steelhead.
It’s a big summer for efforts to remove the lower four Snake River dams! The CEQ comment period initiated by the Biden Administration garnered over 48,000 comments! Most of those comments were in favor of dam removal. thanks to all who responded to our Action Alert last month!!

To keep you all up to date here are three recent articles staff articles talking about the four lower Snake River dams.
BAT UPDATES
We will not be holding a training in Pierce County region as we were unable to arrive at a solution with the county for working together.

A short video all about the origin and work of the BAT program is currently underway. Film will include three regions of our state where BAT work is ongoing. Film will be shown at CX3 and we are so excited to showcase this amazing program!!
Chapter and Council Leaders, SAVE THE DATE!
The Annual WCTU State Council Meeting is Saturday October 14th, at Red's Fly Shop in the lodge conference room on the beautiful Yakima River. We will be presenting Awards and voting on officers and NLC rep. Please plan to attend either in person or virtually :) More to Come
We Need Volunteer HELP in several areas, are you ready to join the leadership team?
The Washington Council of TU needs volunteers for the following positions:
Council Secretary - Our current secretary, Dan Walsh, will be stepping down in October. this position entails taking the minutes at 4 state meetings annually and distribute minutes to chapters. There are a variety of additional duties, but it is not a high time consuming position.
National Leadership Council Representative - Our current NLC Rep Steve Miller will be stepping down October 1st this year - this volunteer position is an opportunity to work with NLC reps from around the country to set the National Conservation Agenda for TU. Here is an article that talks about this council role: READ
Fundraising Chair - the Council is looking for a volunteer with some degree of fundraising experience or background to help us with annual planning and execution, particularly heading into the giving season October -December. Volunteer hours average 5hrs/month with some months less and some more.

If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities please contact us HERE
Is Your Chapter using the TU Events Page Yet?
Get on the TU Calendar of EVENTS!! The calendar is linked to WCTU website, and chapters can also link events to their websites. Keep reading to get started using TU's Eventgroove which puts your events all in one place on the national TU website; then link it to your chapter website or Social Media sites to help promote your events.

We encourage each chapter to start an account and use this event tool to advertise your events and help us all find fun and engaging TU events around the state. 
Not a TU Member Yet?
Support your cold water conservation for future generations and become a Trout Unlimited member today! Your membership helps support so many conservation efforts around our state. First time annual memberships start at $17.50. 
Click HERE to find out more. If you don't know your local chapter name just put unknown and you will be placed in your closest chapter by zipcode.
A Message from the Council Chair
We want to share your chapter events and important conservation work in this newsletter. Spread the word across the state about fun and informative events you are hosting - like the ones above by Olympia Chapter and Klickitat AEG. Engagement is the way to Grow your chapter!! So let us help you spread the word about your events!! Contact Us
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