From Egg to River: NPS Students Release Trout into Silvermine River
From Egg to River: NPS Students Release Trout into Silvermine River
NPS Communications
The "Trout in the Classroom" program in Norwalk recently celebrated its annual trout releases, marking the culmination of months of dedicated teacher and student effort. This year, six schools participated in releases over three days on the Silvermine River, a significant milestone for a program that has doubled in size over the last two years thanks to the development of the Marine Science Pathway.
The initiative, proudly sponsored by the Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited, began in Norwalk in 2009 at Norwalk High School.
A Journey from Egg to River
In January, participating classrooms each received 200 or more trout eggs, contributing to a total of approximately 1,600 eggs across Norwalk. Students from kindergarten through 12th grade took on the responsibility of raising these delicate eggs into juvenile trout, meticulously caring for them in their classroom aquariums. This hands-on experience provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to learn about aquatic ecosystems, water quality, and the life cycle of trout.
Community-Wide Release
The release events saw students from Jefferson Marine Science Elementary School, Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School, Tracey Magnet School, West Rocks Middle School, Nathan Hale Middle School, and Brien McMahon High School collectively release approximately 400 juvenile trout into the Silvermine River. A highlight of the releases was Brien McMahon High School's Marine Science Pathway students leading educational stations for Jefferson students, demonstrating their knowledge and passion for marine science.
Through every stage of this program, students are directly engaged in the process, fostering a profound sense of environmental stewardship and connecting them deeply with the natural world.