[On screen graphics: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Logo]
[Native Fish in the Classroom, USFWS, New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, 2019-20 School Year]
For those who don’t know about the Native Fish in the Classroom program, [Tony Jacobson, Manager, Seven Springs Hatchery]
it is an Environmental Education program based in New Mexico led by the New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The program brings native fish to the students
with the help of our partners like the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Forest
Service, and Mora National Fish Hatchery, just to name a few.
The Native Fish in the Classroom Program provides students, our future stewards, [Elementary Students, Tesuque Elementary School]
an opportunity to see and learn about native fish found in rivers within their communities across the
Gila and Rio Grande watersheds here in New Mexico.
This year just over 1,000 students in 23 schools participated in the program. [Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, Tesuque Elementary]
Spread across New Mexico from Taos, in the north, to Silver City in the south, these students took on
the challenge of caring for native fish in their classrooms. I am thrilled to say, these
students exhibited pride in a job well done and empathy for the fish in their care. They
took on water quality testing, water changes, and feeding with great enthusiasm. Their dedication
to their fish was admirable. Unfortunately, the student’s time with their
fish was cut short this year. We’re sharing this video montage of our partners, [Multiple Native Fish of the Rio Grande, Sierra Elementary Complex]
so students know their fish made it home. So, students, this is for you.
Hi Students, its Angela, the Fish Lady. Your fish made it home! [Angela Palacios, NM Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office] I had the honor of escorting
your fish to the Rio Grande along with a few of our partners. [Rio Grande, Hwy 550, Bernalillo] I want you to know each partner
made sure to give your fish the best chance possible. Each of us made sure to haul the
fish with plenty of aeration, since you know fish need oxygen too. [Rio Grande, Central Bridge, Albuquerque] We also made sure to
temper your fish by mixing river water with the transport water. We were all a bit sad
not having you with us and missed your enthusiasm. So, if you see us, make sure to say hello,
it would make our day. Some of you had the opportunity to raise our
NM state fish, the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout. I have to say, they looked beautiful. And
for some students along the Rio Grande, know that you had the honor of being the first
students to host the endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow. This was a first. And a big
round of applause goes out to the students who learned how to successfully hatch trout
eggs. For those down in the Gila, I’m sad I didn’t get the chance to meet you this
time around, but Dustin and Tim had great things to say about all of you. You took on
the challenge of raising the threatened Gila Trout and native fishes in your local community.
All of you displayed great stewardship skills and I can’t wait to see what you do in the
future. So enough from me …there are others waiting
to say a few words. Hey guys, it's Dustin down on the Gila. Hey,
[Dustin Myers, Gila National Forest Supervisor’s Office] I just wanted to let you know that, um, even though this year didn't turn out exactly like
we had hoped, that I'm very proud of you in the work that you've accomplished. I know
that when you went home for spring break you weren't planning on leaving for the rest of
the year, but that's just the way things worked out this year. I know a lot of you are probably
wondering what happened to your fish and I just want to assure you that they were in
good hands. So, we worked with your teachers and we were able to get them out in the rivers
in the streams. [Gila Trout, Quemado Elementary School] Fish from Datil and Quemado went to the Catwalk and the fish from San
Lorenzo and Harrison went to Sapillo Creek. I hope that you find, uh, some comfort in
knowing that your fish made it. They’re out in the wild and they're contributing to
the recovery of this unique species. Um, I hope that you have gained some knowledge over
this semester and I hope that you take it with you and really apply that to not only [Sapillo Creek, Gila National Forest]
your life and school, but also your life outside of school. You know, I'd love to see you guys
get out to the Catwalk, go see your fish, get out to Sapillo Creek and go see your fish
there, as well. You know, get out and explore the wilderness and the places where these
fish had survived throughout time [Gila Trout, Mora National Fish Hatchery] and were able to, you know, make it into your classroom.
So, I really encourage you guys to take this time to, you know, educate your family on
what you've learned and educate the people around you, but also get out experience this
and experience these places where these unique species are from.
Hey students, it's Ranger Chris. I'm here on the bank of the Rio Grande. [Chris Leeser, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge] I'm getting
ready to release the native fish that you had in your classroom. So, I just wanted you
to know that they are being returned to the river. And we picked a beautiful spot here
on the Rio Grande with a nice braided river channel [Rio Grande, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge] and good cover on either side of the
bank. Your fish are right there in those buckets. Well students, there’s your native fish
from the classroom. I hope you can identify some of those species. [Native Rio Grande Fishes, NM Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office]
It’s a little more difficult from up above, but I bet some of you can do it. Hey students, here's a close-up
look at the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow all in one bucket here together. So, it makes
it a little bit easier to identify them. [Rio Grande Silvery Minnow, Albuquerque BioPark] We're getting ready to release them into the Rio
Grande, so this is your chance to say goodbye. They're all in really good condition and so
I thank you for all the hard work that you put into taking care of them inside your classroom.
Students we were able to release all of your fish right into the river. There’s the empty
buckets, the fish are right out there enjoying the Rio Grande. It's been a gorgeous day here
on the river and I'm so glad we had an opportunity to show you your fish getting put back into
the river. And I hope your having a great day, wherever you are, and hopefully you got
to enjoy part of this beautiful day, just like I did too. Hope to get to see you soon.
A quick hello from Ranger Jeannine. [Jeannine Kimble, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge] She wishes she had more, but they had a few technical
difficulties. Your fish did great and she hopes you are all well and hopes to see you
soon! From north-central New Mexico, we have Talisa Ortega with Taos Pueblo Division of Natural Resources
[Triploid Rainbow Trout, Taos Day School] and Ms. Claireen Espinoza, Taos
Day School who were out near the John Dunn Bridge on the Rio Grande. They released trout
hatched by middle school students from TaosDay School. They made sure to acclimate your
trout to the river’s temperature by placing the buckets into the river water and [Talisa Ortega / Claireen Espinoza, Taos Pueblo DNR / Taos Day School]
patiently waiting. Ms. Espinoza didn't think the trout wanted
to leave. Even with some “gentle” encouragement the trout still had resisters who seemed to
like the safety of the bucket! [Triploid Rainbow Trout, NM Department of Game and Fish / Trout Unlimited] Ms. Espinoza was very sad to say “goodbye” to your
trout and it was hard not having you all there to give the trout a proper send off!
She’d like to thank Bryan Basin, New Mexico Native Fish Supervisor, Principal Haimowitz
and especially you, her Middle School Students, who made this experience a success! [Rio Grande, near Rio Hondo Confluence, John Dunn Bridge, North-Central New Mexico]
Here we have Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout making their way to the Rio Grande with the help
[Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, New Mexico Department of Game & Fish] from Ryan Swazo-Hinds and Joseph Abeyta From Tesuque Environment and Natural Resources
Department. [Ryan Swazo-Hinds / Joseph Abeyta, Tesuque Environment and Natural Resources] Ryan and Joseph carried them to a stretch
of the Rio Grande within the Bureau of Land Management’s Orilla Verde Recreation Area. [Rio Grande Orilla Verde Recreation Area, BLM]
Just as with all our fish, Joseph checked temperatures to make sure they were acclimated,
before helping them dive into the Rio Grande.Wrapping things up here in northern New Mexico
dropping off the last of the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout. [Rio Grande Orilla Verde Recreation Area, BLM] Students, I want to thank you for your
dedication as stewards to your native fish. [Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, New Mexico Department of Game & Fish] Your hard work was not in vain and is greatly
appreciated. Give a shout out to our partners across New Mexico who worked diligently with
your teachers to retrieve your fish and deliver them to their final destinations along the
Rio Grande and Gila Rivers. And just as Dustin said, I hope you get the
chance to visit your fish, explore your local watershed, and share your experiences. It
may be hard to spot your fish when you go to visit them, but you never know what else
you may find. Where there is water, there is life. [Sounds of multiple Canada Geese honking]
[To All Our Native Fish In the Classroom Schools and Partners, Thank You! Fish Provided by {logos for USFWS, ABQ Biopark, NMGF, USFS, Trout Unlimited}]
Schools hosting Rio Grande cutthroat trout: Emerson, Zia, Montevista Elementary Schools of Albuquerque. Tesuque Elementary School, Santa Fe {Logos for BLM and Tesuque Pueblo}]
[Schools Hosting Rio Grande Silvery Minnow and Native fishes of the Rio Grande: Albuquerque Sign Language Academy, Bosque School of Albuquerque, Montessori Elementary & Middle School, Monte Visa, and Zia Elementary Schools of Albuquerque, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School of Rio Rancho {USFS logo}]
[{ Logos: Bosque School, Friends of Valle de Oro, Friends of Bosque del Apache} Zia Elementary School, San Antonio Elementary Schools of San Antonio and Sandia Park.
[Cottonwood Valley Charter School and Midway Elementary School of Socorro. Sandoval Academy of Bilingual Education and Maggie Cordova Elementary School of Rio Rancho {logos for Amigos of Sevilleta NWR, Pueblo of Santa Ana}]
[Santo Domingo Elementary School, Pueblo of Santo Domingo {Pueblo logo} Isleta Headstart, Pueblo of Isleta {logo} Sierra Elementary Complex, Truth or Consequences {Sierra Soil and Water Conservation District logo}
School hosting Triploid rainbow trout: Taos Day School, Pueblo of Taos {logos for Taos Pueblo and TU}
[Schools hosting Gila Trout: San Lorenzo Elementary School, San Lorenzo. Harrison Schmitt Elementary School, Silver City. Datil Elementary School, Datil. Quemado Elementary School, Quemado. {USFS logo}]
[School hosting Gila river native fish species: Aldo Leopold Charter School, Silver City. {USFS Logo}]
Video editing: Angela Palacios, USFWS Music: Acoustic Breeze, Bensound.com
Photos and video provided by: Dustin Myers, USFWS Gila National Forest Chris Leeser, Bosque del Apache NWR Jeannine Kimble, Sevilleta NWR Talisa Ortega, Taos Division of Natural Resources Ryan Swazo-Hinds, Tesuque Environment Department Angela Palacios, NM FWCO
[Native Fish in the classroom, USFWS {logo}]
[www.facebook.com/nmfwco {USFWS logo}]