GLADSTONE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Friday morning, Gladstone middle schoolers released 65 Chinook salmon into the Escanaba River.
Gladstone Area Public School students have been raising the fish since November as part of the DNR’s Salmon in the Classroom program. All their hard work finally paid off with a field trip to the Pioneer Trail Park boat launch.
Students put each fish in a bag and gradually acclimated them to the temperature of the river before setting them free.
“In the tank, it was 52 degrees all the time,” said Gladstone 6th grade science teacher Melissa Peltier. “In nature, it obviously fluctuates. They had to slowly add water in and out of the bag for five to ten minutes, and then eventually they are able to release them.”
According to Peltier, Chinook salmon reduce the presence of invasive species in the river. She says the experience of raising and releasing them helps students connect with nature.
“They’re the next stewards of the land, so it’s really important that they understand the ecosystems, what the fish need, what we can give to them,” Peltier said. “The history of the Chinook salmon being here goes back to the ’60s, so it’s really important that we do this to make sure we’re keeping the invasive species down.”
In addition to the DNR, the release was a partnership between Gladstone Schools, the Delta Conservation District, Lake to Lake CISMA, Wildlife Unlimited, and Trout Unlimited.
