Brad Bowman – As a school counselor, I care about kids and educating the whole child. As a self-described “trout bum” and adventurer, I care about the restoration of the only trout stream in Calumet County. Trout in the Classroom (TIC) effectively does both. By taking classroom learning into the real, natural world, students have an opportunity to make a first-hand connection with science and the environment. Their knowledge becomes solidified, reinforced, and REAL because it is connected to an experience with an emotional tie.
The restoration of Stony Brook, the 6-mile cold water stream near Kloten, expanded to Long Rd in the Town of Stockbridge in 2022. The culvert on Long Rd was scheduled for replacement last summer. The Friends of Stony Brook (FOSB), a partnership of local landowners, county residents, and stakeholder groups including Calumet County, worked with Town of Stockbridge to improve the stream crossing with a larger culvert.
Trout in the Classroom is a nationally recognized program and curriculum that is designed to make connections between classroom learning with the natural environment and to promote stewardship for the stream and surrounding landscape. Most programs, including ours, end the year by releasing their trout in a state-approved stream near the school. In our case, Stony Brook is just six miles away.
The Chilton School District held its third annual "Trout in the Classroom" field trip earlier in the week, during which sixth graders and sophomores released hundreds of fry into Stony Brook just northwest of Chilton, capping off months of learning how to rear trout and monitor their aquatic environment.
Ongoing efforts continue to improve Stony Brook, aiming to elevate its status as a vibrant cold water fishery and a vital local water asset for Calumet County.
“Trout in the Classroom” in the Chilton school system started with a short phone conversation between Brad Bowman, the Chilton Middle School Counselor and FVTU president Joe Bach in the fall of 2015. The conversation went something like this: Joe, I heard of a TU program called Trout in the Classroom and I would like to have it implemented in our schools. Joe’s reply: “I heard of the program too, let me look into it and I will get back with you.
The Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) is proud to be leading a collaborative conservation success story with a team of partners in our mission-service area, this time one that will lead to sustainable inland stream trout populations – and public access to fish them!
Since 2016, the Stony Brook project has developed into a collaborative project among many groups including Chilton School District, Fox Valley Trout Unlimited, WDNR, Calumet County, local land owners, and many others. The partnerships formed have led to on the ground efforts to improve conditions at Stony Brook, assess the potential for developing a trout fishery, and has provided students with a local, hands on learning experience.
Brad Bowman – As a school counselor, I care about kids and educating the whole child. As a self-described “trout bum” and adventurer, I care about the restoration of the only trout stream in Calumet County. Trout in the Classroom (TIC) effectively does both. By taking classroom learning into the real, natural world, students have an opportunity to make a first-hand connection with science and the environment. Their knowledge becomes solidified, reinforced, and REAL because it is connected to an experience with an emotional tie.
The restoration of Stony Brook, the 6-mile cold water stream near Kloten, expanded to Long Rd in the Town of Stockbridge in 2022. The culvert on Long Rd was scheduled for replacement last summer. The Friends of Stony Brook (FOSB), a partnership of local landowners, county residents, and stakeholder groups including Calumet County, worked with Town of Stockbridge to improve the stream crossing with a larger culvert.
Trout in the Classroom is a nationally recognized program and curriculum that is designed to make connections between classroom learning with the natural environment and to promote stewardship for the stream and surrounding landscape. Most programs, including ours, end the year by releasing their trout in a state-approved stream near the school. In our case, Stony Brook is just six miles away.
The Chilton School District held its third annual "Trout in the Classroom" field trip earlier in the week, during which sixth graders and sophomores released hundreds of fry into Stony Brook just northwest of Chilton, capping off months of learning how to rear trout and monitor their aquatic environment.
To date, over 3,000 brown and brook trout have been raised and planted by over 1000 students. These students have experienced an education only Trout In the Classroom can provide. I call Stony Brook, “The Students Laboratory in the Field”. Thier view of Stony Brook Improvements has added to their appreciation of what a collaborated effort can do to restore our environment.
LNRP is working with partners throughout the Lakeshore to identify potential projects that combine enhanced habitat along the Lake Michigan shoreline, while seeking ways to improve water quality. The LNRP Coastal Resiliency Project works with stakeholder groups, local units of government, and municipalities to develop and deliver on plans for cost-effective, and more resilient “built” and “natural” environments.
In giving the award, Cross praised Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership and Friends of Hika Bay for bringing together the community and the university in the common goal of improving and protecting the water quality in northeastern Wisconsin.
c/o Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP)
PO Box 224
Port Washington, WI 53074
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