Missoula, Montana, May 8, 2017 – Montana Trout Unlimited, which represents more than 4,300 conservation-minded anglers, organized among 13 TU volunteer chapters in the state, will have new professional leadership. After 23 ½ years as executive director, Bruce Farling is stepping down and into semi-retirement. He is being succeeded by David Brooks, who for the last year has served as the organization’s conservation director.
“The entire Montana Trout Unlimited State Council is excited for David to continue his excellent work with Montana TU in his new position as executive director. He is keenly aware of and committed to our conservation priorities. We believe he will pick up where Bruce Farling is leaving off in continuing the success of our organization,” said Chris Schustrom, Montana TU State Council Chair.
Brooks, an environmental historian, PhD and inveterate angler and hunter, will be stepping in to lead TU’s Montana grassroots members. Montana TU’s mission mirrors that of its national organization: Conserve, protect and restore Montana’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Besides advocating for protection of habitat, streamflows and water quality, Montana TU and its volunteers organize and implement habitat restoration projects, manage programs focused on conservation and angling education for adults and kids, and advocate for maintaining Montana’s best in the nation statutes and rules for recreational access to rivers and streams. Formally chartered in 1964, Montana TU is one of 37 Trout Unlimited state councils across the nation.
“Over 50 years of conservation successes in keeping Montana’s waters clean, clear, and cold speak to the stellar leadership Montana TU has been fortunate enough to have in Bruce Farling, and now in David Brooks. Our continued efforts defending Montana against harmful mining proposals, restoring thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and engaging the next generation of angler conservationists are in good hands with our network of grassroots volunteers, Montana TU and national TU staff in Montana,” continued Schustrom.
Brooks leads a five-person staff headquartered in Missoula. He can be reached at [email protected], or at (406) 543-0054. Montana TU’s website and Facebook page can be accessed at www.montanatu.org.