Save Wild Trout is thrilled to announce the hiring of Brian Wheeler as our new full-time Campaign Director. As the former Executive Director of the Big Hole River Foundation (BHRF), Brian brings years of experience, deep community ties, and a passion for science-driven river protection.
This move comes as the BHRF officially joins forces with Save Wild Trout – an exciting merger that will allow for the expansion of BHRF’s highly respected water quality monitoring program to all four rivers of the Jefferson Basin – the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby, and Jefferson Rivers. BHRF Board Chair Sarah J. Ashworth sent an announcement to members early this week after the board voted to join forces late last week.
“Over the past six years, BHRF built one of the most credible citizen-science water quality monitoring programs in Montana. As the value of this project continues to increase, we saw the need to expand what we’ve built to the entire Jefferson Basin,” said Brian Wheeler, new Program Director of Save Wild Trout. “Save Wild Trout shares the same commitment to science, community partnerships, and stewardship for our prized water resources as BHRF, and provides the best opportunity to broaden this monitoring effort in a meaningful way. I look forward to this new challenge, and to continue working to protect the rivers we all love and depend upon.”
Under Wheeler’s leadership, BHRF has collected critical water quality data on the Big Hole River. That data is now being used to advocate for a Clean Water Act impairment designation that will focus on reducing pollution loading and restoring healthy water quality. With the addition of Brian to Save Wild Trout, this model will be used across the Jefferson Basin to bring forth the resources, funding, and attention necessary to increase restoration of degraded aquatic habitat.
“After 10 years serving as a part-time program director, I’m passing the baton because the challenges facing our rivers today demand full-time leadership and focus. We couldn’t be more excited for Brian to step up to fill this role. He brings the experience, the relationships, the framework, and the vision needed to guide Save Wild Trout into its next chapter,” said Wade Fellin, former Program Director of Save Wild Trout.
As Wheeler takes the lead, Save Wild Trout remains committed to science-driven restoration and advocating for common sense rules and protections for our rivers and their wild trout populations. Brian will officially join the Save Wild Trout team on May 1, and a release of 2024 field season data will follow.
Source: Press release
Photo: Pixabay
