MEEKER | On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)visited the 6th-grade class at Barone Middle School.
In PE, local Wildlife Managers conducted flyfishing lessons in the gym, while the Aquatic Biologist taught the science classes about fish identification and anatomy (followed by trout dissections).
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the entire class traveled upriver to the South Fork Ponds to spend the morning with local Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff for some more hands-on experiences. Students were able to visit three stations: flyfishing in the ponds, electrofishing with the aquatic biologists, and harvesting willows. The completion of all three stations was followed by a hot lunch provided by CPW.
The concept for this trip originated from local CPW employees needing help collecting willow branches to transplant on other state wildlife areas, such as Jensen, to improve wildlife habitat. This trip is highly anticipated every year, and is a great opportunity to get our students outside and involved in understanding our local ecosystems and learning a new sport!
By CLAUDIA BULLEN
(Left to right) Isabel Elder, Ellianne Stagg, Jadzia Taylor, Zaiden Harris, Blair Turner, Cambrey Rogers, Brodee Kilduff, and Gracelyn Walker collect willow branches for CPW to transplant.