Since 1959, the members of Trout Unlimited have dedicated themselves to conserving, protecting and restoring wild trout and salmon throughout North America. And, today, our work is more important than ever. It's a fact of science that wild trout and salmon react to environmental damage before you can see it with the naked eye. Right now, all across the country, trout and salmon waters are showing many of the symptoms of environmental decay. In some areas, they are completely disappearing.
And things will get worse before they get better. Trout and salmon and the waters in which they live are under constant threat. From the damage caused by chemical pollutants to the ecological strain of hydroelectric dams, the condition of clean water across the nation is rapidly declining. Acid rain contaminates from above, while polluted runoff from agriculture and development causes decay below. Soil washed into streams, discharge from mines and logging damage pose equally serious problems. As a result, hundreds of rivers, wetlands and streams are in danger. And the fragile ecological balance that preserves the entire American outdoors is in danger of being permanently damaged. To fight this wide range of environmental problems, the members of Trout Unlimited pursue a variety of conservation activities at all levels. From the hands-on work of stabilizing streambanks to getting big government to reverse decades of "unfriendly" environmental policies.
At the national level, the staff at the Washington D.C. headquarters is using its influence on Capital Hill to prevent construction of new hydro- electric dams, which pose a major threat to the rivers populated by trout and salmon, as well as other wildlife. The National Office is also working to strengthen the Clean Water Act, and to make sure that it's strictly enforced, especially in regard to the protection of wetlands, which are vital to healthy rivers and streams.
Trout Unlimited believes that wild trout and clean, cold streams are nature's symbols of environmental quality and living proof of the health of our fresh-water resources. Working on local, state and national levels, Trout Unlimited is working to actively preserve, protect and restore cold water fishing for your enjoyment.
If the present damage to our environment is left unchecked, future generations may never know the pleasure that come from the waterways. They may never experience the sense of serenity and peace that come when walking along a river early in the morning, watching a mother Wood Duck teach her ducklings how to catch bugs or the awe that overtakes you watching a child reel in their first fish.
We deserve better and so does everyone else. So please join us in working to conserve Berks County's coldwater resources. Years from now, future generations will be grateful you did.