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Third graders at St. Mary School Swormville (SMS) are “o-fish-ially” ready to release the brown trout they’ve been raising in their classroom into a local stream this coming Monday.
Brown trout are considered an indicator species for the overall health of the watershed. If brown trout are present and abundant the watershed may be considered healthy. Brown trout are very sensitive to changes in water quality, temperatures, and habitat quality. Changes in the landscape from natural resource extraction, forestry, agriculture, and other development have eliminated brown trout from many of the watersheds throughout their native range.
Mrs. Kristy Witkowski (SMS K-3 Science teacher), Mrs. Polly Lougen (retired 3-4-5 SMS Science teacher), Mr. Harrison Reeds (SMS Physical Education teacher and avid fisherman), and Mr. Don Andres & Mr. John Turton (SMS Maintenance and Facilities staff) worked together to set up a cold water aquarium system in the K-3 science lab for the Trout Unlimited “Trout in the Classroom” program this past September. Once a healthy ecosystem was established for the salmonids, 100 eggs arrived, and the months-long process of monitoring tank conditions began. The goal was to provide consistent, favorable conditions in the tank, so that a high percentage of the sensitive trout eggs would survive.
With an amazing 96% hatch rate, Mrs. Witkowski’s students then spent the fall and winter months studying how the trout developed from eggs, to alevin, to fry, then fingerlings (small fish). As students witnessed the trout life cycle and the salmonids grew, so did their interest & concern for the trout and their environment. This has translated into a deep understanding and connection for the students to the watershed systems on which all life depends.
Now that the creek water is warm enough, and the trout have grown to the point that they should be able to survive on their own in the wild, Mrs. Witkowski and her 3rd graders will release the trout into Elliott Creek near Glen Falls in the village of Williamsville. There the fish will continue their journey to adulthood and help populate the creek. Brown trout feed on a wide variety of organisms in the wild, including worms, leeches, crustaceans, insects, mollusks, fishes, amphibians, and/or small mammals; depending on the food sources available in their local environment.
Ellicott Creek was decided on as the release location after Mr. Reeds researched which local stream would be best, and provide the most suitable conditions for the young fish to continue to thrive and grow into mature adults. Brown trout require cold, clean water (they prefer temperatures between 55-64 °F) and can be found in small streams, rivers, beaver ponds, and larger lakes. By testing the water from 4 local creeks in which brown trout already live and taking water samples from each, Mr. Reeds determined that each creek sampled contained different levels of pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrate, and general hardness of water. With Mr. Reed’s help, the class has made every effort to replicate the Ellicott Creek conditions within the tank in their classroom before the release, to ensure an easy transition for the young salmonids.
Mr. Reeds had this to say about the program:
“I have had a wonderful experience working with Trout Unlimited's Trout in the Classroom program. It has been a highly rewarding venture for us at SMS, as we've been able to watch our fish grow from little eggs, into recognizable brown trout! Through overcoming the challenges of setup, fish mortality, and chemical balances, we as educators have learned the virtues of patience, and diligence. The students have learned about life cycle elements, Darwinian themes of survival, as well as Christian values of perseverance, fortitude, and charity. I have had the unique experience of sharing my findings and tales with fellow fishermen, and a fish hatchery in the Canadian Province of Ontario. They have given me useful information on raising these beautiful animals, as well as some reassurance on the challenges. In all, it has been a truly worthwhile experience for me, and the students at SMS that work with these amazing and intriguing creatures.”
The Trout in the Classroom program is unique and memorable for students because of its hands-on approach to STEM. The program brings science to life and connects students to watersheds in classrooms. Designed specifically for teachers who want to incorporate hands-on, environmental education into their curriculum, the program teaches the scientific method, as well as the concepts of ecology, population biology, water quality, and conservation. Trout Unlimited’s “Trout in the Classroom” program has been in classrooms across the country for more than three decades, and over 100,000 students participate annually.
The program involves active observation, inquiry, and stewardship by students. The majority of Americans live in urban and suburban areas that provide limited access to wilderness, and young people are spending less time outdoors, leading to a lost connection to nature. For these young people, the concept of a freshwater ecosystem can be very abstract. The program immerses students in natural phenomena typically only experienced outside. Students meaningfully engage in the care of salmonids and their micro-habitat, and in this way become stewards of the trout, and the watersheds in which they live.
Many groups are working diligently to conserve, protect, and restore brook trout and the watersheds they inhabit. Trout Unlimited, the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, local, state and federal agencies, colleges and universities, and many non-profit and volunteer conservation groups are partnering throughout the native range to improve the quality of these coldwater resources through on-the-ground restoration, strategic planning, monitoring, and scientific research. You can help these efforts by volunteering with your local Trout Unlimited Chapter or local watershed organization and assisting with their restoration projects. You can also stay engaged with policies concerning the management and protection of our coldwater resources and write to your local, state, and federal representatives concerning legislation that impacts these resources.
Enjoy this photo album of the 2024 SMS “Trout in the Classroom” program from start to finish!