Work with the National Fish Passage Program

The National Fish Passage Program depends on strong partnerships with individuals, organizations, local governments, and agencies to conduct fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

Learn more about fish passage
projects. We often collaborate with state fish and wildlife departments, other federal agencies, tribes, and transportation agencies.

Who do we partner with?

We partner with nonprofit organizations, from national organizations like Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, and American Rivers to local watershed groups. The program works with private landowners, ranchers, cities and towns, and we collaborate with large companies, like Coca-Cola, and those more locally known such as Founders Brewing Company in Michigan.

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we’re a river.” This old saying is especially true for the National Fish Passage Program. This partnership program has proven successful because of the many people – from grassroots volunteers to renowned biologists -- working together to keep fish migration routes open, improve aquatic conservation, and preserve the outdoors for the American people.

Leadership

Amy Hortsman
National Fish Passage Program Coordinator
Fish and Aquatic Conservation
Expertise
Restoration design,
Small dam removal,
Fish passage,
Streambed simulation techniques,
Floodplain restoration,
Estuary restoration,
Wetland restoration,
Restoration program management and oversight,
Restoration compliance and permitting,
Partner coordination,
Strategic planning,
Budgeting,
Process based restoration

National and Regional Contacts

Please contact a program coordinator or Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in your area to get started. 

The National Fish Passage Program provides financial and technical assistance in support of fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

Learn more about fish passage
projects. Fish passage project proposals can be initiated by any individual, organization, government, or agency. However, proposals must be submitted and completed in cooperation with a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. 

Image of Sean Connolly, Program Analyst and Outreach Specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Pacific Region Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program.
Regional Fish Passage and Fish Habitat Partnerships Coordinator, Pacific Region
Fish and Aquatic Conservation
Expertise
Strategic Planning and Performance Management,
Community-Based Restoration Programs,
Budget Formulation and Financial Assistance,
Outreach and Education
Area
OR
WA
ID
HI
Portland,OR
Image
Grayscale U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service logo
Aquatic Habitat & FIS Coordinator
National Fish Passage Program,
National Fish Hatchery System,
Fish and Aquatic Conservation
Additional Role(s)
Regional Fish Passage Coordinator
Area
AZ
NM
OK
TX
Image
Grayscale U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service logo
Regional Coordinator Fish Passage, Fish Habitat, Hatchery Maintenance
National Fish Passage Program,
Fish and Aquatic Conservation
Additional Role(s)
Regional Fish Passage Coordinator
Area
AL
AR
FL
GA
KY
LA
MS
NC
SC
TN
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands
Nate grins for the camera, posing in front of a gorgeous backdrop of rocky mountains and evergreens.
Fish Passage Engineer
Fish and Aquatic Conservation,
National Fish Passage Program
Additional Role(s)
Regional Fish Passage Coordinator
Area
CO
KS
MT
ND
NE
SD
UT
WY
man standing by river bank
Habitat Restoration and Partnerships Coordinator
Coastal Program,
National Fish Passage Program
Additional Role(s)
Regional Fish Passage Coordinator,
Alaska Coastal Program Regional Coordinator
Expertise
Habitat Restoration,
Fish Habitat Partnerships
Area
AK
Anchorage,AK