Students to Release Rainbow Trout in Boise River

Washington Elementary fifth graders will release rainbow trout into the Boise River on a field trip to the Boise WaterShed Friday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. The students, led by teacher Libbie Hayden and Biologist Lauri Monnot, of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, are part of Idaho Fish and Game's Trout in the Classroom program where they have raised rainbow trout from eggs to fry since February. "By observing and caring for trout, students gain a better understanding and appreciation of their life cycle and habitat requirements," Fish and Game State Trout in the Classroom Coordinator Brenda Beckley says. The program raises awareness about Idaho's aquatic resources by providing an engaging, hands-on learning opportunity for Idaho students in grades 4-12. Classrooms are equipped with fish tanks, chillers, and an educational curriculum geared toward fish biology, ecology, habitat needs, and even chemistry and genetics. The curriculum focuses on science while incorporating reading, writing, math and art skills. Many Trout in the Classroom teachers schedule field trips to nearby hatcheries, and coordinate with Fish and Game to teach their students the joys of fishing. The program is operated by Idaho Department of Fish and Game and coordinated locally in partnership with Trout Unlimited. "Strong partnerships with school districts, teachers and mentors from Idaho Fish & Game, U. S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and Trout Unlimited make this program possible," Trout Unlimited Southwest Trout in the Classroom coordinator Sabrina Beus says. "In the Treasure Valley, 44 schools participate in Trout in the Classroom."