Casting for Conservation with Trout Unlimited's Chris Wood

A trip to Alaska to follow the Salmon run changed the course of Chris Wood’s life; upon returning home he resigned from his job working for an ice cream company. Choosing a new path, Chris resolved to dedicate his life to saving endangered fish and waterways. He began his career as a temporary employee with the US Forest Service in Idaho where he quickly realized the power of learning from mentors and teachers in the conservation field.  They - in turn - saw his passion, tireless work ethic, and optimism. He went on to become the senior policy and communications advisor to the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, where he assisted in protecting 58.5 million acres of publicly owned land. He began to realize his potential to have a significant impact on the environment and our natural resources.

In 2009 Chris began his leadership as President and CEO of Trout Unlimited.  Today TU is an internationally respected conservation powerhouse with close to an $80 million-dollar annual budget and national staff of 260 employees. TU has become the science delivery system for state and national agencies who have sustained large budget cuts. 

 Trout Unlimited, in partnership with their three hundred eighty-seven local chapters across the country, is protecting, reconnecting, restoring, and sustaining our cold-water resources. TU invests tens of millions of dollars annually for river and stream recovery, protecting head-water streams, thus reducing downstream drinking water filtration costs. This evangelist of fishing and fisheries conservation was recently inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. Chris has authored Watershed Restoration: Principles and Practices (AFS, 1997), From Conquest to Conservation: Our Public Land Legacy (Island Press, 2003), and My Heathy Stream: A handbook for Streamside Owners (Trout Unlimited and The Aldo Leopold Foundation, 2013). 

We are honored to welcome this giant of conservation to this episode of Intrinsic Drive  ®  For those who would like to learn more about the conservation efforts of Chris and his team, become members, or donate please visit Trout Unlimited.

Intrinsic Drive ®  is produced by Ellen Strickler and Phil Wharton. Special thanks to Andrew Hollingworth, our sound engineer and technical editor.  For more information on this and other episodes visit us at www.whartonhealth.com/intrinsicdrive