Trout In The Classroom Makes A Splash

Published by Dave Kile on 06/06/2017

All students across the country get a chance to learn about biology and environmental sciences when attending middle school. However, the students at Tredyffrin/Easttown Middle School (TEMs) have the unique opportunity to actually go beyond the regular curriculum with raising trout in their classroom.

The program is led by Mr. Gordon Davis, 7th English/8th science teacher at TEMS. The Trout in the Classroom program at TEMS is supported by the PA Fish and Boat Commission, PA Council of Trout Unlimited and Valley Forge Trout Unlimited.

Along with raising the trout, students learn about the importance of cold-water resources throughout their middle school experience. It is a great fit on the heels of the 6th grade curriculum which studies water resources. In addition, they benefit from learning about the chemical factors affecting water quality.

In the beginning of the school year the students learn about the Pennsylvania state fish, the brook trout. Then, when trout eggs arrive in early November, the “eyed” eggs (where the eyeball and spinal cord is visible in the egg) and the trout are raised through the “fingerling” stage, before being released in early May at an approved trout stream.

As part of the program this year, the students visited a trout raceway, owned by the Chester Valley Sportsmen’s Association. Ray Andrews and other members of the association take care of roughly 5,500 rainbow and brook trout prior to stocking, which they receive from the Carlisle state hatchery.

“Students were able to see a real-world connection to the trout care we practice in the classroom and also study the behaviors of mature trout,” said Mr. Davis

The students are involved in an in-depth program raising the trout that includes exploring YouTube videos posted by anglers which highlight trout fishing across the state. One of the most popular activities this year occurred when the program partner from Valley Forge Trout Unlimited, Dave Dickens, visited to discuss his life spent trout fishing.

The program has enjoyed outstanding support from the school district, community and parents, and is very well known by many. “Mr. Davis is a wonderful teacher and my daughter is tremendously excited about the program,” shared Melissa Kennedy of Berwyn.

For many years Mr. Davis has been enthusiastically supported by the PA TIC program director, Amidea Daniel. He was extremely grateful to the PTO for their support in purchasing materials needed for trout; our Principal, Andy Phillips, for his support of our program; our VFTU representative, Dave Dickens; and our friend, Ray Andrews, for the connections through TIC.

Trout In the Classroom is a partnership between the PA Fish and Boat Commission and PA Council of Trout Unlimited. It was created to introduce students to cold-water resources and the importance of maintaining healthy streams. The partnership provides brook trout eggs, trout food, technical assistance, curriculum connections and teacher workshops each year.

@ 2016 www.paflyfish.com

NOTICE

 ⇒UPDATE: Announcement regarding our legal action against Tredyffrin Township.
Final Petition for Review 2/26/2016

We are pleased to be joined in our efforts by many local partners and by the National Park Conservation Association (NPCA). The NPCA has published this helpful document outlining the dangers that uncontrolled storm water run-off pose not just to Valley Creek but to our irreplaceable and historical structures such as Washington’s Headquarters.

Additional documents can be viewed under the Resources tab: Reports, Information and Whitepapers

About Us

The Valley Forge Chapter of Trout Unlimited is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and restoring trout habitat throughout Chester County, Pennsylvania. Valley Forge Trout Unlimited is an active chapter effectively working to advance conservation efforts and the sport of fly fishing. Its 800-plus members and affiliates are engaged in the fight to preserve our precious cold water resources. All similarly inclined persons are invited to join in our efforts.

Valley Forge Trout Unlimited general meetings are open to the public. They are held the second Thursday of each month, with the exception of June, July, and August.

⇒ NEW Meeting Location! ⇐
Chester Valley Grange Hall, 3285 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA 19355
7:30 PM Second Thursday of each month from September – May

Please plan on joining us for our regularly scheduled monthly meetings featuring great speakers and terrific members! Click Here for more information

Project Healing Waters

Project Healing Waters is a nationwide program administered through the Veteran’s Administration that introduces fly fishing to veterans.  Our chapter began this outreach program in 2012 and it is growing rapidly.  Click here for more information how we’re engaging our veterans in this rejuvenating project and how you can take part.

Watershed Management

Our primary mission is to protect Chester County’s watersheds – Valley Creek, West Valley Creek and the Brandywine Creek.  As a result, our conservation efforts are many and varied. Below are the projects and efforts we’re working on currently.

Keeper of the Stream

Valley Creek bisects much of Chester County’s eastern and most populated area.  As such it is most at risk of erosion from storm water run-off and pollution from both point and non-point sources. Our Keeper of the Stream program offers assigned “beats” to volunteers who inspect the stream and report quarterly to the National Park Service at Valley Forge Historical National Park, where Valley Creek runs through to its confluence with the Schuylkill River.

Wilson Farm Park

Tredyffrin Township’s Wilson Farm Park is a large, mostly cleared public park bordered by Route 202 on its south side and the Chesterbrook development on its remaining three sides.  Valley Creek bisects much of the Chesterbrook development before it enters Valley Forge Historical National Park. Such a large, open expanse of land can do more than it currently does to capture and collect storm water before releasing it into drainage systems that ultimately discharge into Valley Creek exacerbating bank erosion. Our efforts include partnering with other local, like minded community and conservation groups to increase the park’s capacity to hold water.  We have planted trees and have installed and maintain a rain garden to capture storm water and thus replenish the aquifer reducing the amount of water that reaches the storm sewer.

Prevent Disease and Invasive Species

Please help limit the spread of disease and invasive species.  Keep the fish population healthy by cleaning your equipment before getting into Valley Creek (or any waterway).  It is as easy as:

• SCRUB (scrub off any debris)
• SPRAY (spray with a 10% bleach solution – away from water since bleach is toxic to wildlife)
• SOAK (let the bleach soak for 5 minutes)
• RINSE (rinse with fresh water)