Students from Staples High School released Frye into the Saugatuck River on April 29, 2010.

To view more photos from this event, click here.

Check out the article in Westport Now!

BACKGROUND

Some 150 Staples High School students have been raising Brown Trout from eggs in their advanced placement Biology class this school year. They received fertilized eggs from the Connecticut Department of EnvironmentalProtection (DEP) in November.

The program under which the trout are being raised is “Trout in the Classroom” (TIC), sponsored by Trout Unlimited. This is Staples High School’s second year in which the fish eggs have matriculated into fingerlings. The culmination of the program is the release of these fingerlings into the trout waters of the Saugatuck River where they may grow into adult fish.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the program is to educate young people as to the importance of clean water and the fact that clean water is often taken for granted while in fact it must be protected. Trout are the indicator species for clean water, because unlike most all other fresh water species, trout are the most demanding of clean, aerated, cold, and unpolluted conditions. In today’s world, development and population density constantly threaten trout habitat. Runoff of fertilizer, road salt, and silt, and the cutting down of trees along stream banks which are necessary to provide thermal protection to stream waters are constant threats of which the public needs to beaware.

ABOUT TIC:

TIC was started by Trout Unlimited (TU), a nationwide cold water conservation organization, in New York City schools under a grant in the 1990s and today involves more than 500 classrooms in some 20 states. Beginning only four years ago in Connecticut, the program has been warmly received and there are now some 70 classrooms operational throughout the state. At Staples, the program was funded by the Staples High School Parents Teachers Association and coordinated by Nutmeg Chapter, the local chapter of Trout Unlimited comprised of Westport and12 surrounding towns.

ABOUT TROUT UNLIMITED:

Trout Unlimited is a nationwide conservation organization whose mission is “to conserve, protect and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.” The organization was founded in 1959 and comprises 150,000 grass-roots volunteer members in 450 chapters in 40 states. Nutmeg Chapter, serving Fairfield and surrounding towns, is Connecticut’s first and oldest continuously active Trout Unlimited chapter.

 

Mike Aitkenhead teaches his students how

trout are an indicator specieswhich when

we observe determine how healthy a

particular stream really is.

A few days later 25-30 grade 7 students of Ms. Emily Gurnee of Tisdale School in Bridgeport released the 100+ trout they raised from eggs as part of Trout Unlimited's Trout In the Classroom environmental education program. The fingerlings were released into Wolfe Park in Monroe. Here are some photos from that very educational event.

 

HOW:

For further information, please contact Bill Blaufuss, prosit67@hotmail.com, 203-856-2004 and visit the TIC website, http://www.troutintheclassroom.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is a relatively simple environmental education program that can be adapted across the curriculum for grades K-12. Enthusiastically received by Connecticut teachers, TIC has grown from one classroom offering the program in school year ‘05/06 to 22 classrooms in school year ‘06/07.

Classrooms receive a specially equipped aquarium and fertilized trout eggs in the fall. TU chapters furnish tanks and chillers, eggs, feed, training and assistance to teachers who wish to present the course.

Teachers set up an aquarium and incubate trout eggs in their classroom with the help of a Trout in the Classroom coordinator (a TU member.) Together, they ensure that all of the equipment has been purchased and is assembled by September. In general the teacher and students are responsible for daily maintenance and observation of the eggs, while the coordinator is responsible for obtaining permits and delivering the eggs.

At the end of the program in spring, the final result is an aquarium full of trout fry (juvenile fish) that are released into a state-approved body of water during a class field trip in late May to early June. Trout in the Classroom is an extremely rewarding program for students, teachers and mentors. The program can be set up in one school or in collaboration with different schools.

What are the requirements for setting up a program?

• A TU volunteer
• A highly interested and motivated teacher
• Permission of the school's administration
• Aquarium and other related equipment

I’m interested. Please tell me more.

1. Learn more at www.TroutInTheClassroom.org (then see some local photographs and videos at www.CTtrout.org.)
2. Get in touch with the TU Connecticut TIC Coordinator, Ed Albrecht: albrecht_ed@yahoo.com or (203) 271-1103.

Thanks.

The camps include a comprehensive curriculum and draw upon the expertise and commitment of professional resource managers, scientists, fly tiers, fishing guides, and experienced TU volunteers. Many include hands-on experience with a habitat restoration project and the opportunity to fish a variety of local waters. During the camp, the young anglers learn much more than fishing skills -- they gain an appreciation for the need to protect our coldwater fisheries and other natural resources.

The new Fly Fishing Merit Badge was established in May of 2002. It gives Boy Scouts the opportunity to learn about fly fishing, fly tying, and fishing conservation. It also offers Trout Unlimited members the unique opportunity to share their fly fishing knowledge with our nation’s youth.

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