Educating
the next generation about rivers, their
inhabitants and the environment is
seen as a vital task.
We therefore provide assistance
for two key national projects.
Salmon in the Classroom.
Angling For Youth Development (AFYD).
Both projects are cross agency initiatives
providing some of the best hands-on
learning that our children can experience.
It allows them to take part in a
real life conservation initiative.
Participating Agencies include Scottish
Natural Herritage, The
Scottish Executive, Perth & Kinross
Council (teachers, Countryside
Rangers and supporting school staff), Atholl
Countryside Rangers, Association
of Salmon Fisheries Boards, RAFTS, SANA, Tayside
Police, Strathclyde
Police, Scottish
Countryside Alliance, Tay
District Salmon Fisheries Board, The
Tay Foundation and private
consultants.
A key part of both programmes is
bringing fish directly into the primary
class room. From our hatchery we
provide eyed salmon eggs to each
school. These are placed in fish
tanks held in chiller cabinets. This
enanbles the kids to watch daily
the hatching of the eggs and development
of the baby fish, which are then
returned to a local river. The children
not only learn about the natural
history of the fish, but actually
get to look after them.
Subsequently we organise class field
trips to the release locations and
using electrofishing equipment catch
fish (hopefully including some of
the ones they released). This enables
pupils to identify different fish
and their life stages and even to
learn how to handle fish safely and
properly.
Fish are not the only topics covered
during such field trips. Kick samples
of aquatic life are taken and the
youngsters are invited to count and
identify them using simple keys.
To date we have provided 13 sets
of equipment allowing 13 schools
to participate, but this year 22
schools asked to take part, so there
is sadly a waiting list. We would
love to provide and support more,
but we need more funding.
Up until now some additiona funding
has been provided by the European
Union under CASS, but this source
will expire in 2008, thus a replacement
source is urgently needed.
Further Information:
AFYD
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