Trout Unlimited, the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization, awarded a $10,000 Embrace-A-Stream grant to its Maine Council on Friday.

The funds will be used to conduct a large-scale assessment of the state’s wild brook trout populations and habitat. Some of the watersheds that will be studied have never been surveyed for the presence of wild brook trout.

A recent study found that Maine possesses the majority of healthy brook trout populations in the country, yet the state has the least amount of current assessment information about brook trout populations there.

This project will collect data from 1,500 survey sites across Maine. TU’s Maine Council will work in conjunction with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife to complete the project.

“This project will be able to give us valuable new information about brook trout in Maine,” said Sean McCormick, Maine’s TU Council chair.

“The Maine Council is very excited to be getting some up-to-date information on the brook trout populations in our state, and the grant will give us the opportunity to use good science to conserve our stocks of native brook trout.”

Embrace-A-Stream is the flagship grant program for funding TU grassroots conservation efforts. Funding is provided primarily by TU members, with additional support in 2008 provided by Costa del Mar and the FishAmerica Foundation.

An Embrace-A-Stream Committee comprising TU volunteer representatives and scientific advisors evaluates all proposed projects and makes the awards.

In 2008, the Embrace-A-Stream program will provide $170,000 to 29 projects in 20 states. Projects will address stream habitat restoration, improving fish passage and protecting water quality.

Many of the projects will benefit eastern brook trout from Maine to Georgia and will help protect Yellowstone, Bonneville, and Lahontan cutthroat trout in Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. Since the program’s inception in 1976, Embrace-A-Stream has funded more than 900 individual projects totaling approximately $3.6 million.

“Trout Unlimited members are the driving force of the organization’s vision and mission goals,” said Bryan Moore, Vice President for Volunteer Operations and Watershed Programs. “Through their work, TU’s grassroots members protect and restore the nation’s coldwater resources and provide a strong foundation for future generations.”

Paddling into spring

Although this weekend’s St. George River Race is the only game in town, canoe races are dotting the spring schedule with much more frequency in coming weeks.

The 6-mile St. George leads things off in Searsmont with an 8:30 a.m. registration ($15) today.

Next week, the spring spotlight shifts to Waldo and the 8-mile Passagassawakeag Stream Race. Registration is $15 per entry and starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

The contact person for both races is Dale Cross (338-4598).

Two races will be held in Hampden on Saturday, April 12 as the Souadabscook Stream Sprint and Souadabscook Stream Race are run. The 2-mile sprint race starts at Emerson Mill Road at 9 a.m. and registration starts at 8 a.m. The 8-mile regular stream race also starts at Emerson Mill Road, but with an 11 a.m. registration and noon start. The contact for both races is Gary Brooks, who can be reached at 234-4521.

On Sunday, April 13, Frankfort will host two races: The 1-mile Marsh Stream Sprint at 9 a.m. (8 a.m. registration) and the 8-mile Marsh Stream Race at noon (11 a.m.). Bill Deighan (234-2510) is the official contact for both races.