WESTFIELD-The aim of a spring “Teaching with Trout” program in the city and in Southwick is to foster a conservation ethic among middle schoolers.
“The goal of Teaching with Trout is not about restoring, reestablishing, or augmenting trout populations in Massachusetts,” said Caleb Slater, anadromous fish project leader for the state Department of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW). “Teaching with Trout is an environmental education program with the goal of fostering a conservation ethic in young students as well as an appreciation and understanding of the importance of maintaining and protecting our natural ecosystems.”
After a “successful” 2017-18 school year, DFW knew the importance of continuing the program, noted Slater.
“Students will raise trout from eggs to fry and then release them into approved cold water streams and ponds,” said Slater.
The Westfield River Watershed Association (WRWA) is again sponsoring local schools so students can participate in the program, according to Mike Young, WRWA treasurer.
“This program replaced the earlier Atlantic Salmon Egg Rearing Program (ASERP) several years ago, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided to discontinue the attempt to re-introduce Atlantic salmon to the Connecticut River watershed,” said Young.
Young noted that at its peak, the WRWA had tanks running in 10 schools, but that the program has been scaled back to four tanks in two schools this spring.
Two classrooms in each community will be provided with the needed equipment including a 29-30 gallon aquarium tank, chiller to keep the tank temperature at 50 degrees F or so, a filtration system, and miscellaneous supplies.
“Over the past few years WRWA board members have also helped with delivery of the fish eggs to the schools,” said Young, noting the brook trout eggs are provided by the state DFW that are initially cared for at the Roger Reed Fish Hatchery in Palmer.
“If the weather cooperates, WRWA folks will be meeting DFW near Exit 3 of the Pike Monday morning, then will deliver the eggs to the two schools,” added Young.
Jeffrey Collier, a seventh grade teacher at the Westfield Middle School, will be among the teachers participating in the program. Teachers at the Powder Mill Middle School in Southwick will also take part in the project.
“My experience with this program and the original ASERP restoring salmon program has been so great and kids really get involved,” said Collier. “Kids get excited about my science classroom just having the tank and chiller setup.”
Each fall a coordination meeting is hosted by the DFW for all participants to share information about the practicalities of raising the trout and curriculum ideas to link the program to broader goals, according to Young.
Young said WRWA members can also assist with release activities when the students put the young fish into the local streams that have been approved by the DFW.
“WRWA was especially interested in ASERP, hoping to help with the restoration of Atlantic salmon to the region,” said Young. “We now see the trout program as a way to help connect kids with their local outdoor environment, something we also support.”
Collier echoed that sentiment.
“Kids get to experience a large portion of the life cycle of fish found in the river system,” said Collier, adding that the program offers teachers the opportunity to discuss specific topics in biology that relate directly to the animals in their fish tank. “Kids become stewards as they learn about the river system and the species of fish within.”
