SIDMAN —
The weather wasn’t exactly ideal on Tuesday, but the fish didn’t seem to mind.
The heavy rain didn’t stop students from Forest Hills High School from releasing 143 brook trout into Laurel Run as part of the Trout in the Classroom program, which teaches students how to raise and care for the fish from the egg phase to fingerlings.
Forest Hills Trout in the Classroom teacher Brian Madison said the school has been doing the project for three years and its purpose is to educate students on stream health and fish habitats as well as provide them with an understanding of cold water resources.
“It’s very educational but fun and the students enjoy it,” he said. “Living where we do, it’s important to learn about having clean water, what we can do to keep it clean and how we can make it better.”
Prior to receiving the eggs, students had to set up a 55-gallon aquarium and monitor everything from the temperature to water quality. The classroom received 560 eggs in November to cultivate, and by mid-December the students began feeding the fish, preparing them for their release into the wild.
Following the release, students conducted a macroinvertebrate study, tested water chemistry of nearby streams and participated in a fly casting demonstration.
Marlee Zubek, 16, has been involved with the project for three years and said it’s amazing to see the fish at all stages of growth.
“It’s fantastic to be able to interact with the environment, so it’s a great experience,” the sophomore said. “You never know what issues you’re going to have to deal with, and it’s been a good learning experience.”
Brandon Shaffer, 18, also has done the project for three years and admitted that even though he’s not a nature type of guy, it’s been interesting learning about the trout.
“It’s a great program to introduce trout into the wild and helps you understand their life cycle,” the senior said. “We are leaning a lot but it’s also fun.”
Participation in the program is made possible through grant funding that is handled by the Mountain Laurel Chapter of the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. The Beaverdale Sportsmen’s Club and Laurel Run Rod & Gun Club also assisted with funding.
Local News
Related Photos
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A brook trout is seen Tuesday before it was released into Laurel Run as part of Forest Hills High School’s Trout in the Classroom program, which teaches students how to raise and care for the fish from the egg phase to fingerlings. Todd Berkey
Discussion
Students release trout as part of program
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