Eggs to Fry A newsletter for TIC in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City

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Ira Rice
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THE TROUTIN CLASSROOM Spring Meetings This Spring, we had two wonderful teacher meetings! The first was on March 18 at the Clearpool Education Center in Carmel, NY.

Projects included bilingual trout vocabulary studies, trout poetry and art, rewritten song lyrics, and an experiment involving fingerlings reactions to various artificial tied flies.

1 THE TROUTIN CLASSROOM Spring Meetings This Spring, we had two wonderful teacher meetings! The first was on March 18 at the Clearpool Education Center in Carmel, NY. The second was a week later on March 25 at Ashokan Field Campus in Olivebridge, NY. At both meetings, teachers shared how they had enriched TIC during the year. Projects included bilingual trout vocabulary studies, trout poetry and art, rewritten song lyrics, and an experiment involving fingerlings reactions to various artificial tied flies. Participants in the Trout Tapestry Project also showed their quilts, pictures of which are in this newsletter on page 5. We also spent a lot of time outside; we had beautiful weather and enthusiastic tour guides from the facilities staff. After hiking, we also heard each day from New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff. At Clearpool, Paul Thiesing, Environmental Educator, gave an overview of the history and function of the East of Hudson reservoir system. At Ashokan Field Campus, Paul Rush, Deputy Commissioner for the Bureau of Water Supply, shared his thoughts on the development and future of the Catskills water system. These meetings were made possible in large part thanks to support from DEP. At the top of a Clearpool hill, Paul Thiesing talks about the NYC water supply system while teachers look out on Boyds Corner and West Branch reservoirs. Spring/Summer 2008 Editor: Rochelle Gandour, NY TIC Coordinator Eggs to Fry A newsletter for TIC in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City Trout buddies say goodbye to one of their fingerlings at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Westchester County. This is the Cross River.* Trout Release Season In New York, as across the country, most TIC classes finish the year with trout release days in April and May. These field days are about more than putting trout in a stream. Students and teachers take time to investigate the stream ecosystem, explore the riparian area, and discuss the need for clean water. Special thanks go to NYS DEC in Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4 for more than two hundred stocking permits and endless advice about streams. In a special downstate program, twenty-five schools, mostly from NYC, chose to release their trout during three Trout Unlimited (TU) field weeks at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, NY. These releases would not be possible without the generosity of all our supporters, especially the New York City Environmental Fund. We also gratefully recognize the people who gave their time: Croton Watershed, Long Island, and NYC TU volunteers and staff from NYC DEP and NYS DEC. Finally, we thank Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation for allowing us to visit their beautiful property.

Page 2 From the Coordinator Rochelle Gandour, NY TIC Coordinator I hardly know where to begin this, my last Coordinator s note.

Like our trout releases, this is definitely a bittersweet farewell; I m sad to be leaving such a wonderful network of educators, but so excited to be starting graduate school in the fall.

Every day I cherised the commitment of our volunteers, the generosity of our program partners, and the enthusiasm of our teachers.

For the ideas, the notes, the calls, the artwork and poetry, the sharing, the visits, and the collaboration. I wish you all the best! What is Trout in the Classroom?

2 Page 2 From the Coordinator Rochelle Gandour, NY TIC Coordinator I hardly know where to begin this, my last Coordinator s note. So I start replaying the last couple months of the school year, thinking about how we all just said goodbye to our trout, and I start to draw parallels. Like our trout releases, this is definitely a bittersweet farewell; I m sad to be leaving such a wonderful network of educators, but so excited to be starting graduate school in the fall. But I can t go without saying one last thank you to everyone. My three years with TIC have been a profound learning experience for me. Every day I cherised the commitment of our volunteers, the generosity of our program partners, and the enthusiasm of our teachers. I am constantly awed by the curiosity, creativity, and dedication of our students. Thank you all, for all this. For the ideas, the notes, the calls, the artwork and poetry, the sharing, the visits, and the collaboration. I wish you all the best! What is Trout in the Classroom? Trout in the Classroom is a conservation-oriented environmental education program for elementary, middle, and high school students. Through the school year, students raise trout from eggs to fry and then release them into approved cold water streams and lakes. This act of raising, monitoring, and caring for young trout fosters a conservation ethic within participating students and promotes an understanding of their shared water resources. How Did It All Begin? Trout in the Classroom in New York City and its watersheds began in 1997 with the late Joan Stoliar s vision of connecting City and upstate children through their common water resources. Thanks to Joan, her family, and the generous support of Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, Inc., this program has blossomed from four initial schools to well over 150 throughout New York State. NY Trout in the Classroom Newsletter Tank Cleanup and Equipment Care At the end of each school year, every trout tank needs to be cleaned. Some equipment and supplies also need to be replaced. Please see for more details (Teachers -> Technical Information). If you have any questions that aren t answered, consider posting your query in our Teacher Community bulletin board. Cleaning and caring for your equipment now is absolutely crucial for starting a successful season. Trout Poetry Mrs. Ramey & Mrs. McGrath s students Pawling Middle School Ellen Ramey, a TIC science teacher at Pawling Middle School, worked with a language arts colleague to have her students write trout poetry and create trout art. Four of the resultant poems are included in this newsletter. Bubbles in My Brain, below, is by Taylor. On the facing page, you will find The Circle of Life by Alicia, Fish Survival by Tara, and New Blood by Sarah.

3 Spring/Summer 2008 Page 3

4 Page 4 Anatomia de la Trucha / Anatomy of a Trout NY Trout in the Classroom Newsletter Interesting Websites Our program s website is always improving, with resources for new and experienced teachers, as well as for volunteers and friends. DEP s website has information about NYC s water supply system from source to city. The Education tab leads to teacher resources. Helping you make water efficient choices to protect resources for future generations. A TU website devoted to brook trout, the native species of New York, includes scientific information on the life and conservation of brookies. The National Parks Service just re-launched their kids site. Environmental games abound. Try the salmon run or macro-collecting! This site includes a number of water-related online games that your students can play. A site devoted to the explanation and exploration of societies water consumptions. Includes an individual water footprint calculator. At MS 319 in Washington Heights, Obed Fulcar teaches TIC in two languages: Spanish and English. He shared some of his and his students work at one of our TIC Spring Teacher Meetings in March. Above, you can see part of his trout anatomy poster. He also read us his students Spanish and English trout poetry. This fun page includes a game about trout: students balance a stream s food, waste, organisms, and oxygen.

Spring/Summer 2008 Page 5 Trout Tapestry Project 07-08 Organized and led

New York (and one each from NJ, PA, and VA) participated in this

Students from each class made and exchanged troutthemed decorated fabric

They also sent each other letters, poems, and drawings describing their

5 Spring/Summer 2008 Page 5 Trout Tapestry Project Organized and led by Tara Siudy again this year, 25 TIC teachers from all over southern New York (and one each from NJ, PA, and VA) participated in this collaborative work. Students from each class made and exchanged troutthemed decorated fabric squares and letters. They also sent each other letters, poems, and drawings describing their experiences with the trout and their understandings of their local watersheds. The quilts pictured here belong to (left to right, top to bottom) Doreen Gleason and Deborah Gilson, Cornwall, NY; Sarah and Donna Schirrman, Pine Bush, NY; Courtney Rodgers, Fisherville, VA; Karen Merker, Kingston, NY; and Ellen Ramey, Pawling, NY.

6 Page 6 NY TIC Supporters and Friends Founding New York Sponsor -Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, Inc. Agencies -New York City Department of Education -New York City Department of Environmental Protection -New York City Department of Parks and Recreation -New York State Department of Environmental Conservation -NYS Dept. of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation -United States Environmental Protection Agency -Westchester Cty Dept. of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Funders -Bay and Paul Foundations, Inc. -Beekman Estate -Catskill Watershed Corporation -Dorr Foundation -Independence Community Foundation -New York City Environmental Fund -New York State Council of TU -Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Inc, -Stoliar Family Supporters -Catskill Center for Conservation and Development -Environmental Education Advisory Council of NYC -Headwaters Initiative -Kensico Environmental Enhancement Program -Watershed Agricultural Council -Watershed Environmental Education Alliance Advisors -Melissa Cohen, Bureau of Fisheries, NYS DEC -Scott Covert, Catskill Hatchery Manager, NYS DEC -Phil Dickler, Aquaculturist, John Bowne High School -Kim Estes-Fradis, Director of Education, NYC DEP -John Fischer, NY TU Youth Ed. Chair and HI Exec. Director -Mike Flaherty, Region 3 Fisheries Manager, NYS DEC -John Genovesi, TIC Coordinator, Croton Watershed TU -Philip Hulbert, Superintendent of Fish Culture, NYS DEC -Norm McBride, Region 4 Fisheries Manager, NYS DEC -Norm Soule, Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery -Arthur Stoliar, Retired Director, Trout in the Classroom -Ron Urban, Chair, New York State Council of TU NY Trout in the Classroom Newsletter Trout Releases A trout release is whatever the teachers and program sponsors make it. It can be a community event, a trip to a city park, or part of an environmental center visit. For the schools at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, trout releases were part of a larger field exploration. After investigating the river with educators and TU members, students hiked into the forest with area foresters to see first-hand the connection between forest health and clean water. Every field activity broadens the scope of the project and continues to expand students views of the environment. On the facing page are just a few images from the trout release field days, in and around the Cross River in Westchester County. New York Trout in the Classroom Advisory Council Arthur Stoliar, Retired Director Larry May, Teacher, PS 109X John Fischer, Headwaters Initiative David Berman, TGF Kim Estes-Fradis, NYC DEP Duncan Blair, Trout Unlimited Rochelle Gandour, Coordinator Production and distribution of this newsletter is supported in large part by the Catskill Watershed Corporation, in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Eggs to Fry title art is by Abby Morgan. *These photos are used courtesy of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. This newsletter is printed on recycled paper with a minimum of 10% post-consumer content.

Spring/Summer 2008 Page 7 Tom Crescitelli, a volunteer from

students where in the NYC watershed they are standing.

leaf litter pulled from the Cross River.

* Journaling is an important release day activity.

shares with students some characteristics of various trees.

7 Spring/Summer 2008 Page 7 Tom Crescitelli, a volunteer from the Croton Watershed Chapter of TU, shows students some of the stream s macroinvertebrates.* Min Kan, NYC DEP Environmental Educator, points out to students where in the NYC watershed they are standing.* Students search for more aquatic macroinvertebrates in leaf litter pulled from the Cross River. They found a diverse sample.* Journaling is an important release day activity. Many students find the forest and river inspiring for environmental reflections and poetry.* Amy Flavin, from NYC DEP s Bureau of Land Management, shares with students some characteristics of various trees.* Students on a nature hike pause as they cross a bridge to look out over the water. Standing over the river affords them a trout s-eye view of the forest.* Two volunteers, Niel Siegel, from the NYC Chapter of TU, and Peter Dubno, from the Long Island Chapter of TU, help students use the Aquascope.* Amanda Levy, NYC DEP Water Scientist, teaches about the important of water testing in our streams and reservoirs through a hands-on activity.*

Trout in the Classroom Trout Unlimited Rochelle Gandour New York Coordinator c/o NYC DEP 59-17

19th Floor Flushing, NY 11373 phone: (917) 803-0743 fax: (718) 595-3477 e-mail: rgandour@tu.org www.

org TROUTIN THE CLASSROOM Inside this Issue: Spring Meetings 1 Trout Release Season 1 From Coordinator

8 Trout in the Classroom Trout Unlimited Rochelle Gandour New York Coordinator c/o NYC DEP Junction Blvd. 19th Floor Flushing, NY phone: (917) fax: (718) TROUTIN THE CLASSROOM Inside this Issue: Spring Meetings 1 Trout Release Season 1 From Coordinator 2 Trout Poetry 2/3 Anatomia de la Trucha 4 Interesting Websites 4 Trout Tapestry Project 5 Supporters List 6 Trout Release Photos 7 Students gather on the banks of the Cross River in early May. They visited as part of TU s trout release field days at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.*

Eggs to Fry A newsletter for TIC in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City

TROUTIN THE CLASSROOM Winter 2009 Editor: Lilli Ayvazian, NY TIC Coordinator Eggs to Fry A newsletter for TIC in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City The Spring Conferences Spring