The 2011 Coldwater Conservation School

1. The 2011 Coldwater Conservation School NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife and NJ State Council of Trout Unlimited

2. CCS 2011 • We had 28 students (11-14 years old) attend this year’s program at the School of Conservation in Stokes State Forest. • Volunteers from Trout Unlimited chapters around the state came out to lend a helping hand.

3. CCS Goal • The goal of the School is to foster a knowledge and appreciation of coldwater habitats using a variety of hands-on activities and interactive learning methods that teach the benefit of coldwater habitats. The Coldwater Conservation School will give students the hands-on knowledge about how to care for the coldwater habitat that the trout need for survival.

4. Hands-On Programming • All of the programs offered at the CCS are designed to be hands-on and centering around coldwater conservation and the habitat. • Students are broken down into small groups in order to relate to the session leaders more easily. • From the first, the students are involved in hands-on programming.

5. Aquatic Insectigations • Led by Danielle Donkersloot and Katherine Axt from NJ DEP • Our students hopped in the river to try and dig up some trout food using d-nets and kick seines. • They learned to use the insects that they found to help determine the health of the stream. • Some even got a bit wet but they all had fun!

6. Aquatic Insectigations

7. Aquatic Insectigations

8. Aquatic Insectigations

9. Fly Tying • Led by Rick Ege from Trout Unlimited • Our students learned to tie wooly buggers, hares ear and pheasant tails. • They also got to try their hand at other flies during their free time.

10. Fly Tying

11. Something Fishy • Led by Brian Cowden and Rick Axt from Trout Unlimited • Our students donned their waders once again using seine nets to see what lives in the pond. • They caught turtles, sunfish, bass, insects and more.

12. Something Fishy

13. Fly Casting • Led by Bob Powell of Trout Unlimited • Our students learned the basics of fly casting with our certified instructor. • They applied their new-found skills to fishing in the pond and stream during free time.

14. Restoration Project at Three Bridges • Led by Brian Cowden and Rick Axt of Trout Unlimited • After learning about trout and coldwater habitats, it was time to involve the students in a hands-on restoration project at Three Bridges. • They caged plantings and relocated some volunteer seedlings to help stabilize the stream bank in this area. • After working hard (or for some- hardly working), they got to enjoy pizza and sodas alongside the river courtesy of Trout Unlimited.

15. Restoration Project at Three Bridges

16. Fun Times Too! • It wasn’t all work for the students, they had plenty of free time for fishing, fly tying, sleeping and relaxing. • Special presentations were held to not only teach the students, but to let them relax and have fun too!

17. Rich Thomas from Trout Unlimited showed a film, Discovery, an Underwater Oz production. • Retired Rutgers professor, Dr. Locandro, taught the students about edible plants and let them try some moose bologna. After this class, the kids found tiger lilies at Three Bridges and picked them and ate them. Never saw kids rush for vegetable matter so fast before! • Michelle Smith from NJ DFW came up to teach the kids about black bears and bear safety since we were in prime bear habitat. • We had Mr. Johnny from Rizzo’s Reptile Discovery come teach the kids about reptiles and litter. Kids got to touch snakes and turtles, chinchillas and even got to see an alligator!