About TROUT HEADWATERS

Restoring nature. Advancing science. Building resilience.

Trout Headwaters, Inc. (THI) is a national leader in ecological restoration — revitalizing streams, wetlands, and riparian systems across the United States. For nearly three decades, THI has combined field-tested restoration expertise, cutting-edge technology, and a deep respect for natural systems to help individuals, communities, landowners, and agencies restore ecological health and long-term function to degraded watersheds across the U.S.

Our Mission

At Trout Headwaters, we believe that ecology and economy are interconnected — that thriving natural systems strengthen communities and create lasting value.

Our mission is simple: to restore damaged ecosystems while meeting the goals of our clients and partners, from habitat recovery and water quality improvement to improved resilience, compliance, and beauty.

What We Do

THI delivers full-spectrum ecological restoration solutions through a combination of science, engineering, and stewardship.

Our core services include:

  • Restoration Design & Build — From planning and permitting through construction and monitoring, THI delivers turnkey restoration projects that last.
  • Diagnostics & Assessment — Using field data, mapping, and hydrologic modeling, we identify root causes and design targeted interventions.
  • Monitoring & Adaptive Management — We track ecological outcomes and refine approaches to ensure long-term success.
  • Technology & Tools — THI develops proprietary data systems and restoration technologies that improve accuracy and efficiency.
  • Consulting & Collaboration — Partnering with agencies, NGOs, and landowners to scale restoration across landscapes.

Our Experience & Reach

Trout Headwaters, Inc has operated in more than 30 states, completing hundreds of successful projects in diverse ecosystems — from mountain streams and wetlands to urban corridors and agricultural lands. While our clients are principally private landowners, families, businesses or private investment managers, THI has worked with various federal and state agencies and non-profit conservation organizations such as the U.S. Army Corps, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation .These public-private partnerships have helped advance science-based restoration practices and demonstrate the economic and ecological value of healthy watersheds.

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Our Guiding Principles

  1. 1
    Root-Cause Restoration — Addressing hydrology, sediment, vegetation, and water quality for true ecological recovery.
  2. 2
    Client-Driven Outcomes — Balancing environmental performance with real-world goals and constraints.
  3. 3
    Data & Innovation — Leveraging analytics and monitoring to measure results and guide design.
  4. 4
    Resilience & Permanence — Building systems that endure change, climate, and time.
  5. 5
    Partnership & Collaboration — Working together to expand the reach and impact of restoration.

Our Leadership

Founded by Michael C. Sprague, THI has grown from a pioneering restoration practice into a respected national firm known for innovation, integrity, and results.  Under his leadership, THI continues to blend ecological science with practical design, embodying a philosophy that “if you give nature a half chance, she will recover.”

Mike Sprague

Connect With Us

Explore our projects, read our restoration insights, or contact our team to discuss how we can help restore your stream, wetland, or watershed.

 Visit: www.troutheadwaters.com
 Email: info@troutheadwaters.com
 Follow us: LinkedIn – Trout Headwaters, Inc.

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