You may be familiar with the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership (MGLP), but did you know that the MGLP is a member of a broader national organization called the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP)?
This year, NFHP proudly marks its 20th Anniversary in 2026, celebrating two decades of collaborative, science-driven efforts to conserve, protect, and restore the nation’s fish and aquatic habitats. Since its establishment in 2006, NFHP has brought together federal, state, and tribal agencies, conservation organizations, industry partners, and local communities to address the most pressing challenges facing aquatic ecosystems across the United States. Through this partnership-driven approach, NFHP has implemented impactful, on-the-ground projects that improve water quality, reconnect rivers and streams, and enhance habitats for fish and wildlife.
20 Years of Impact: Progress Through Partnerships
Over the past two decades, NFHP and its partners have delivered measurable conservation results nationwide:
• More than 1,500 conservation projects implemented across all 50 states
• Over $380 million in leveraged funding generated to support aquatic conservation
• More than 9,800 miles of rivers and streams reconnected, improving fish passage and ecosystem function
• Over 70,000 acres of habitat conserved, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, riparian areas, uplands, estuaries, and wetlands
• More than 1,700 partner organizations engaged, spanning federal and state agencies, conservation organizations, and Tribal partners
These accomplishments can be seen on NFHP’s Projects and Accomplishments Dashboard, reflect NFHP’s guiding principle of progress through partnerships, and demonstrate the power of coordinated, on-the-ground conservation.
NFHP supports a national network of 20 Fish Habitat Partnerships, such as the MGLP, that work to conserve priority aquatic habitats from coast to coast. Other partnerships in the Upper Midwest include:
- Driftless Area Restoration Effort
- Fishers and Farmers
- Great Lakes Basin Fish Habitat Partnership
- Great Plains Fish Habitat Partnership
- Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership
- Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership
These partnerships leverage local expertise and resources to deliver efficient, science-based solutions to meet local and regional conservation needs.
The 20th anniversary marks not only a milestone but also a renewed commitment to the future. NFHP continues to advance innovative conservation strategies that address emerging challenges such as loss of habitat, water scarcity, and habitat fragmentation.
Recently, NFHP released the third edition of its National Fish Habitat Action Plan, a comprehensive roadmap that outlines strategies for conserving America’s freshwater and marine habitats by convening a broad suite of public and private sector organizations and businesses to address national and regional priorities that benefit the American people.
As the National Fish Habitat Partnership enters its third decade, the new Plan will guide the program by focusing its efforts on specific, measurable objectives that strengthen partnerships and leverage investments in fish habitat conservation for maximum impact.
The Plan’s objectives address four goals:
• Providing national leadership and coordination;
• Mobilizing support for fish habitat conservation;
• Achieving measurable science-based outcomes; and
• Evaluating and communicating the status of fish habitat and addressing gaps in scientific knowledge.