THE MIDWEST DRIFTLESS AREA RESTORATION EFFORT- A NATIONAL 
FISH HABITAT INITIATIVE PARTNERSHIP

Louise Mauldin 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue Onalaska, WI 54650

The nation’s aquatic resources are declining at an alarming rate. This decline is primarily 
due to loss, degradation, and alteration of habitat. Recognized as a national problem, the 
National Fish Habitat Initiative (NFHI) was established to address aquatic habitat 
restoration. It is a nationwide strategy that harnesses the energies, expertise and existing 
partnerships of federal, state and local agencies and conservation organizations. The 
NFHI fosters geographically-focused, locally-driven, scientifically-based partnerships to 
protect, restore and enhance aquatic habitats and reverse the decline of fish and other 
aquatic species across the nation. Similar to the highly successful North American 
Waterfowl Management Plan, the NFHI uses the “joint venture” approach.  It is centered 
on the establishment of partnerships and the implementation of restoration efforts at 
multiple geographic scales. The Midwest Driftless Area Restoration Effort (MDARE) is a 
broad partnership formed under the National Fish Habitat Initiative. It is a 
geographically-focused, coordinated approach to protect, restore and enhance riparian 
and aquatic habitat throughout the Driftless Area. The MDARE partnership is working 
together to: enhance brook trout, smallmouth bass and other aquatic communities; reduce 
nutrient and sediment inputs to coldwater streams and large tributaries of the Upper 
Mississippi River; improve water quality; increase angling and other recreational 
opportunities; and raise awareness as to the importance of the Driftless Area and its 
aquatic resources.  

Keywords: national fish habitat initiative, midwest driftless area restoration effort, Upper 
Mississippi River, stream restoration, brook trout