A large-scale conservation project spanning New Mexico and Colorado has successfully restored native trout populations across 120 miles of streams. The initiative focused on removing non-native predatory fish and rehabilitating degraded habitats, specifically benefiting the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. This work resulted in a self-sustaining trout population, eliminating the necessity for federal endangered species listing. Conservationists hail the project as a major victory for biodiversity and a model for similar efforts in the Western United States. The success demonstrates that targeted removal of invasive species combined with habitat restoration can effectively recover imperiled native fish. This restoration highlights the positive impact of focused environmental initiatives. The project began in 2002 and has now yielded remarkable results.