For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Shanley, Director of Communications
269-415-5594
lisa.shanley@ppps.org
Paw Paw, MI – It’s springtime in Michigan, and that means it’s time for Paw Paw Middle School’s (PPMS) entire sixth grade class to release their salmon fry into the rapids of the Paw Paw River. It marks a bittersweet day as these students reluctantly say goodbye to the salmon fry they have raised and nurtured in a classroom aquarium over the last eight months.
Beginning at 9 a.m. and ending around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, all 164 sixth grade students, plus teachers, volunteers and parent chaperones will be making their annual migration two miles north to Paw Paw’s Sunset Park Boat Launch on Maple Lake to release the salmon into the rapids below the dam. Moving from station to station, students will also have the opportunity to learn from an expert line-up of environmental educators and community partners.
For over a decade, this annual tradition has grown into a major environmental education event, thanks to event mastermind, Paw Paw Middle School Science Teacher Kevin Oles. As the main organizer, Oles and the other sixth grade science teachers have worked hard to attract over a dozen community education partners, who all have a vested interest in developing the next generation of responsible, engaged citizens who want to protect the environment. By fostering a love of nature, promoting sustainable practices, and providing experiences that build strong connections to nature and the outdoors, the hope is that students will gain a better understanding of the world around them and why it is important to preserve our natural resources.
The sixth grade team would like to thank this year’s environmental education partners for taking the time to unite with our community to build success!
● Andrew Strombeck, Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited
● Russ Schipper, The Audubon Society of Kalamazoo
● Dan Burton, Two Rivers Coalition
● Conservation Officer Tyler Cole, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
● Colleen Forestieri and Jacob Diljack, Van Buren Conservation District
● South Haven Steelheaders Sport Fishing Association
● Nic Rand, Bassmaster Opens pro angler sponsored by Skeeter Boats and Toyota
● Marie Solum, Michigan Geologic Survey
● Kimi Baker, Kalamazoo Bee Club
● Jessica Hagan, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy and Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones
● Katie Sims, La Dulse Vita in Allendale
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