PA Environment Digest

Share this:

Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Blog: A Trout Triumph! Cheltenham Elementary Students Release Trout They Raised In Their Classroom

By Bill Steinberg, Abington Friends School Senior

[Montgomery County] Last week on May 23, Cheltenham Elementary School‘s entire fourth grade released the trout they raised through the PA Trout in the Classroom Program, with support of partners including Trout Unlimited, Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and Wyncote Audubon into the Pennypack Creek at Montgomery County Lorimer Park in Huntingdon Valley.

This event was coordinated by TTF [Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership].

Before the rain, the students worked in groups to release the trout into the creek.

The students spent the year growing the trout from eggs. Throughout the year they monitored the fish and fish tanks ensuring that the water quality was on par to keep the fish alive.

They also engaged in stream habitat studies to understand the importance of water resources. The students were taught how to start conservation efforts and understand how to work within ecosystems.

On the day of the release, this teaching was reinforced. After releasing the trout, the students embarked on a day full of activities that taught them both about their home watershed and the ecosystem as a whole.

The students participated in four different activities:

-- A Ranger-Led Walk in which they looked at and studied birds they found in the park, led by members of Wyncote Audubon as well as a park ranger

-- A study of macro invertebrates using a kick net to catch them and then examine them

-- Fishing with newly made bamboo fishing rods led by Trout Unlimited

-- A study of the effects of pollution on the watershed

The day was a success, allowing the students to not only have fun and release the trout that they had been growing all year, but teach them something valuable about the environment and the watershed.

We look forward to continuing this new tradition with these awesome partners.

Does this program sound like fun for you and your organization or school? Contact ryan@ttfwatershed.org to learn more. See more photos here!

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership website.

(Reprinted from the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership blog.)

NewsClips:

Grant Will Fund Girl Scout Environmental Projects In Western PA

Girl Scouts Of Western PA Receive $845K Grant For Building Outdoor Programs

Blair Conservation Districts Sets June 8 Rain Barrel Workshop

Cusick: Lancaster County Celebrates Rivers And Streams With Water Week

Geologists Explains Lycoming County Formations

PA Sea Grant Instructor Makes Final Class Voyage In Erie

Interns: Sarah Sharp - From Intern To Brandywine Conservancy’s New Assistant Planner

Interns Wanted: PA Forestry Assn. Forest Heritage Discovery Center Franklin County

Wildlife Leadership Academy NEXTGEN Blog - Find Out What Student Alumni Are Saying About Conservation Issues

Flock To Hawk Mountain Sanctuary This Summer To Enjoy Great Summer Events