Trout Unlimited biologist, Brian Hodge received the U.S. Forest Service's Rise to the Future Award for his work restoring miles of streams and trout habitat in the Routt National Forest in northwest Colorado. Hodge will be honored by the U.S. Forest Service at the annual awards ceremony to be held on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Whitten Patio in Washington, D.C., on May 17, 2016. The Rise to the Future award is awarded by the USFS for excellence and leadership in Fisheries, Hydrology, Soil Science, and Air Programs.

“Since he arrived in 2010, Brian has become an integral advocate, partner, and colleague,” said Rick Henderson, Routt National Forest Fishery Biologist in the USFS press release. “He has been involved in 19 stream and riparian restoration projects either on or immediately adjacent to the Forest, represented Trout Unlimited on numerous teams, and become a recognized leader in aquatic restoration within the region.”

Hodge has also worked diligently with the design and construction of 10 aquatic passage structures benefiting Colorado River Cutthroat Trout and Mountain Sucker, he's been working with water right owners on ways to increase streamflows, improve irrigation infrastructure, and reduce fish loss into ditches, and is actively involved in funding, designing, implementing, and publishing post-restoration effectiveness results.

Drew Peternell, the director of TU’s Colorado water program, said, “Brian is one of the real stars of Trout Unlimited’s Colorado staff."

Congrats, Brian!!