Educating
the next generation about rivers, their
inhabitants and the environment is
seen as a vital task.
The main educational project we are currently involved with is Salmon in the Classroom (Tayside). This project was initially set up by Scottish Natural Heritage as part of the EU CASS LIFE Project. However, the Tay Foundation has now taken over the coordination of this project which is still grant aided by Scottish Natural Heritage.
In addition to ourselves and Scottish
Natural Heritage, other participating organisations include Angus Council (teachers, countryside rangers and supporting school staff), Atholl Countryside Rangers, Esk District Salmon Fishery Board, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, National Trust for Scotland, Perth & Kinross
Council (teachers, Countryside
Rangers and supporting school staff) and the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board.
A key part of the programme is
bringing fish directly into the class room. From the Tay DSFB hatchery eyed salmon eggs are provided to each
school. These are placed in fish
tanks held in chiller cabinets. This
enanbles the pupils 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.
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