In the spring and summer of 2020, we saw it. We saw it on beaches, in the mountains, in city parks, in the forests, and on the mountains. People outside, social distancing, enjoying nature like never before. While Americans dealt with a global pandemic that infected millions, they took solace in their great outdoors heritage where fresh air combined with the soothing magic of the natural world to, for just a brief time, set aside the troubles of the day. For just one activity alone—fishing—industry officials estimate that between 8 and 10 million new anglers took up the sport in the world of Covid-19.

Americans have a deep and lasting connection with their lands and waters, and a history of working together, regardless of political party, to conserve, protect and sustain the natural world in a manner that saves something for future generations. Not surprisingly, conserve, protect and sustain are also words that are part and parcel of Trout Unlimited’s mission. In a word, this is conservation.

“The purpose of conservation: The greatest good to the greatest number of people for the longest time,” said the legendary conservationist and the father of the U.S. Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot.

Trout Unlimited has been around more than half a century. In that time, we’ve done much good and our work continues. The report you’ve read, Trout Unlimited’s Legacy of Protection encapsulates an impressive body of work—literally millions of acres of land and thousands of miles of rivers and streams protected—during only the last two decades. But there is more to be done, and done well, and more people to be gathered in a joint duty, regardless of politics and persuasions, race and religion, gender and identity. As another great conservationist, Rachel Carson put it, “Conservation is a cause that has no end. There is no point at which we will say our work is finished.”

And so we press forward.