On March 25th, Alden Middle School seventh graders teamed up with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to release trout into a local stream. This hands-on learning experience allowed students to witness firsthand how farm-raised fish transition into the wild. The project, which had been on hold since COVID-19, made a long-awaited return this year.

Students participated by collecting buckets of trout from the DEC release truck and carefully walking them to the creek to set them free. This method provides an alternative to the standard DEC practice of releasing fish from bridges over the creek. By taking part in the process, students gained a deeper appreciation for local ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts.

“This is an awesome opportunity for our kids,” AMS principal, Mr. Smith, shared. “It’s been about eight years since we’ve been able to do this, and the last time we were here was in 2018. Before that, we ran this project for five years.”

The trout release is part of an annual stocking effort to prepare local streams for the opening of trout season on April 1st. Thanks to the dedication of Alden Middle School and the DEC, students not only contributed to the environment but also experienced the impact of conservation in action.