Bringing Back the Trout

For the third year, the  Environmental Science class has taken action to help repopulate the New Jersey state fish, the brook trout.

The trout are exceedingly sensitive to pollution, and have drop significantly in numbers over the years.

Kathy Haines, who teaches Biology and Environmental Science, is an avid environmentalist and works with the program “Trout in the Classroom” to raise fish in her own class. The experience highlights the importance of conservation, and provides hands on activities for the students.

Last year in October, 300 trout eggs were mailed to the school; the students examined each egg and separated the healthy ones from the damaged. Haines cleaned the tank, and with the help of her students, set up the ideal conditions for the fish.

Raising trout is not as easy as it may seem. Over the course of the year, the students from all three classes took part in managing the fish by measuring the dissolved oxygen, nitrate and other nutrient levels to make sure the water was suitable. When the town lost power during the Oct. 29, 2011, snowstorm, majority of the fish died since there was no electricity to produce oxygen bubbles. Of the ones left, 53 of them grew to be healthy trout and were ready to be released.

On May 22, Haines, along with her students, drove to a stream in Martinsville to release the fish. By adding more trout each year, their populations are sure to increase and one day return to normal levels.

Although the fish are back in the wild, the environmental students have not stopped volunteering. On June 5, the AP students along with the Environmental Club will test the water of the Passaic River, which runs through Longhill Township. They will work with members of the Great Swamp Watershed Association to check water quality, species diversity, and overall pollution levels.

Whether it is as simple as recycling or as complex as raising trout, WHRHS always offers its students opportunities to lead “greener” lives and volunteer to help our environment. 

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