Youth ProgramsAFTU actively supports youth education programs each year that encourage Environmental Stewardship and Cold Water Fisheries Conservation. These programs are intended to bring youth in contact with the outdoors to stimulate awareness & concern for the natural environment, and to nurture a next generation of conservationists & stewards for our rivers & streams.
In part, it is one of the missions of wildlife & fisheries conservation organizations like TU to help create an environment conducive to long term sustainability of programs in environmental stewardship and conservation of fragile resources like the welfare of our cold water fisheries which TU embraces.
Programs that AFTU currently provides leadership initiative and/or support to include:
“TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM” (TIC)…Connecting students with their watersheds.
WHAT STUDENTS DO:
• Raise trout from eggs to fingerlings
• Monitor water quality
• Engage in stream habitat study
• Appreciate water resources
• Foster a conservation ethic
• Understand ecosystem connectivity
Two local Suffolk county schools that actively participate (with AFTU) in “Trout in the Classroom” programs are the Longwood H.S. and the William Floyd H.S.
Enthusiasm is high amongst the student participants as demonstrated by one High School’s creative video documentary of their Trout journey from eggs to fingerlings for release in local waters on Long Island, and the group’s blog page.
Longwood H.S. Video…
http://animoto.com/play/UjRBCVHhlcT1D02JtKLiUA
Longwood H.S. Blog…
http://longwoodtrout.weebly.com/
In its third year, the Longwood H.S. has “Pay It Forward” by extending their TIC Program to include the Longwood Middle School in an “Adopt A Trout” initiative, whereby the Middle School rears previously hatched Trout to a releasable size.
For more information on the “TIC” Program use the two links below:
http://www.troutintheclassroom.org/
http://www.troutintheclassroom.org/resources/new-york-resources
****** TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM GALLERY ******
Trout in the Classroom (TIC)- AFTU Treasurer/Board Director John Vatalaro assists with "Spring Fry of the year release" for East South Manor School(May 2017)
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Eastport South Manor Release
Congratulations to Eastport South Manor School on a successful TIC Program, and the release of their fingerlings into Kahler Pond... See photos of student participants on the Big Day!
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See TIC Program inspired multi-media video produced by one talented & enthusiastic student chronicling Longwood School District's TIC Program(s)
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Trout in the Classroom (Longwood School)
Longwood released their trout once again on Earth Day this year. Students for the High School as well as Life Skills students participated in insect inspection, water quality testing and of course the release of their beloved trout fry on the Peconic River. All of the students, staff, and AFTU volunteers Bridget Unger and myself had a great time. It was a beautiful Spring day too!
Photo: AFTU TIC Lead Tony Erola & Longwood School Science Faculty member Ivan Suarez with student participants.
Photo: More student participants enjoying Earth Day...
Photos: Trout In The Classroom Trout Fry ready for stream release...
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Photo: Eastport South Manor Sr/Jr H.S. Trout Incubator/Chiller Aquarium
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Trout-In-Classroom 2022/2023: AFTU's TIC Program enjoyed another successful year in aiding student youth groups to become closer with facets of their natural enviroment and its fragile characteristics. Long time Faculty Lead and mentor Ivan Suarez for the Longwood H.S. District TIC Program reported on another great year, and had the following to say:
Date: May 5th, 2023
Location: Deep Pond, Schiff Scout Reservation, Wading River
Number of Brook Trout: 493
Average Size: 4cm-6cm
Narrative: 33 students were involved with this project. Students were from AP Bio, Environmental Club, AP Environmental Science and ALPS Special Education program. Students learned about the life cycle of trout, how to maintenance tanks, monitor water chemistry and monitor trout growth. General education students would assist special education students throughout the year and during the day of release. They formed great working relationships.
At Deep Pond, many students wore waders for the first time and enjoyed the experience of being in the lake without getting wet. Students acclimated the trout to the new water conditions of the pond and took shifts releasing the trout. The students also used a seine to capture some of the other fish from the pond to observe the different species there. There were juvenile yellow perch and sunfish. We also were able to catch dragonfly nymphs and actually watch one come out of it's exoskeleton, spread its wings and fly!
Compared to last year, we noted there were no adult yellow perch or sunfish near the shore where we were releasing. Last year we were watching our trout being eaten nearly as fast as we released them!
Overall, the students and teachers enjoyed the experience and we appreciate TU supplying us with the Brook Trout eggs and the DEC supplying the permits for the Trout in the
Classroom project. We look forward to continuing our partnership. Sincerely, -Ivan Suarez
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“Day In The Life Of The Carmans River”…
AFTU participates each fall in "A Day In The Life Of The Carmans River" program coordinated by the Central Pine Barrens Commission, Brookhaven National Laboratory's Portal to Discovery, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. The program is designed to celebrate the Carmans River and educate participants from five school districts on the uniqueness of one of Long Island's largest, NY State-designated Wild & Scenic Rivers. The students collect qualitative and quantitative data on the river to better understand its condition and health as a biologic system.
During recent "A Day In The Life..." programs, AFTU has served as a site resource on the history & the operations of the Hard’s Lake "Fish Ladder", and teamed with student groups to assist with their invertebrate sampling & identification from the upper Carmans River in Southaven County Park.
Brookhaven National Labs Press Release...
The success of the Program has in recent years led to the inclusion of several other waters of Eastern Long Island... and the program's name sake "Day in the Life...".
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County- Peconic Dunes 4H Camp…
In 2012 AFTU began work with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County to provide resource at their summer Peconic Dunes 4H Camp for youth education in the disciplines of the art of fly tying, fly casting, and introductory warm water fly fishing. AFTU conducted one day programs to campers in the months of July & August.
Previous to work at the Peconic Dunes 4H Summer Camp, AFTU coordinated and hosted a one day Introduction to Coldwater Fly Fishing in cooperation with the Connetquot State Park facilities. This program was a comprehensive course in fly fishing for trout for a group of former summer camp participants along with their counselors.
Plans are in the works to continue the Chapter's relationship with the Cornell Cooperative Extension and its Peconic Dunes Camp in the coming years. Stay tuned for more from Education Chairman Tony Ertola. Remember...you help make a difference!.
Boy Scouts of America...
AFTU is available to assist local Boy Scouts of America Troops with their Fly Fishing Merit Badge preparation, i.e. Instruction for: fly rod casting, fly tying, knot tying, aquatic entomology, fly fishing tactics & strategy etc. Interested Troops can contact: Michael Barger email: barger.michael[at]gmail.com for Program details.
Girl Scouts of America...
In 2018/2019 AFTU began partnering with the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County/Camp Edey organization of Bayport, New York to introduce young girls to fly rod casting, the craft of fly tying, the sport of fly fishing, and hopefully awakening an interest in the environment that these activities are so heavily dependent upon. We have seen enthusiasm and keen interest by several of the older scouts in the early stages of our Programs.
Fly Tying, Fly Rod Casting & Fly Fishing at Camp Edey
Fly Fishing at Connetquot River State Park
Fly Tying at Connetquot River State Park
Group Fly Tying at Connetquot River State Park
Fly Fishing at Connetquot River State Park
***Contact John Vatalaro at VAT75[AT]optonline.net if you are interested in participating in any of the year's Yourth Education Programs***
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