Sprucing Up the Springs

By Jerry Deal, Idaho Department of Fish and Game Through a partnership between the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Canyon County, elementary school children now have new learning experience available at Wilson Springs Nature Area. School children have long enjoyed a great field trip learning experience managed by Canyon County Parks, Recreation and Waterways at Celebration Park on the Snake River, with a focus on area history. The new field trip offered by Canyon County Parks will fit in to the math and science curriculum for first through third graders. While Wilson Springs is locally popular as a fishery and serves the community for a variety of other outdoor experiences, it fits the need for a field trip location well. Multiple ponds provide a variety of fishing opportunities, from regularly stocked catchable rainbow trout to a warm water bass and bluegill fishery. The surrounding upland and wetland habitats are equally diverse, offering an ideal location to see lots of different birds, as well as insects and reptiles. Just across the street, Nampa Hatchery is a great place to learn about Idaho's native fish. In addition to helping achieve the educational objectives of the field trip experience, the partnership will also contribute to some of Fish and Game's current goals. Introducing youths to fishing can help them develop a life-long interest in the sport. Helping them learn about ecology in a recreational setting may improve their appreciation of nature and motivate them to spend more time outdoors; overcoming what has come to be called "nature deficit disorder." While both of these are high priorities to the department, area users are seeing additional benefits to the partnership as well. An experienced Canyon County Parks management staff directs labor details and is working closely with Fish and Game maintenance personnel to keep the area clean, manage weeds and provide access. Several improved fishing sites have been constructed at key fishing locations, making it easier to enjoy the experience, especially for mobility-impaired anglers and families with small children. The partnership helps provide improved service to the public and has the promise to do even more in the future. For more information about the Wilson Springs Nature Area, call Fish and Game's Southwest Region office at 465-8465. Teachers interested in learning more about the field trip may send an email to thepark@canyonco.org. Jerry Deal is the wildlife habitat manager in the Southwest Region.