Local students connect with environment through trout release

What: Portland Water District’s TroutKids Program – The Release

When:              

Tuesday, May 17

Who: 6th Graders, Greely Middle School (Cumberland)

Where: Gray on Collyer Brook, off of Megquire Road

Time: 8:50 & 11:40

Wednesday, May 18

Who: 6th Graders, Jordan Small Middle School (Raymond)

Where: Presumpscot River in Windham at Route 35 overpass

Time: 9:30

Tuesday, May 24

Who: 6th Graders, Greely Middle School (Cumberland)

Where: Gray on Collyer Brook, off of Megquire Road

Time: 8:50 & 11:40

As students release hundreds of baby brook trout into a local stream in the culmination of the Portland Water District’s TroutKids Program, they will also gain insight into local water issues!

Students have been raising brook trout since January.  During the project the students have studied watersheds, the water cycle, the trout life cycle, and related environmental topics such as stormwater runoff.  The trout are now at the “fry” stage and are ready to be placed into a suitable river or stream.  On the day of release, students will perform water quality tests and macroinvertebrate sampling, and conduct shoreline assessments to ensure the new habitat is healthy for the trout.  Then each student will release a trout fry into the river. By involving local students in the project, they can connect to the stream and take a role in its future protection. 

The Portland Water District organizes trout releases as part of its environmental education programs which reach over 2,000 students annually.  Releases are organized in partnership with multiple agencies including the Department of  Environmental Protection, Royal River Conservation Trust, Cumberland County Soil & Water, and Maine IF&W.