Release!

Working with the Connecticut River Salmon Association (CRSA), our Lower and Upper Elementary students have been helping to restore Atlantic salmon in the Connecticut River basin. Their efforts began in early January, when Atlantic salmon eggs began incubating in a chilled tank kept within the classroom. Students then lovingly stood guard over the eggs for months to ensure that temperatures within the tank remained steady. In February, the eggs hatched into alevin and were ready for release when they reached the “fry” stage. 

The release location, a quiet bank along the Salmon River in East Haddam, was chosen with guidance from CRSA to ensure that the fry could get as close to the Connecticut River as possible, while still withstanding the temperature and oxygen risks of the time and distance to get to the Salmon River from MSGH.

As far as we could tell, it was a successful release, and the children enjoyed yet another hands-on learning experience in science while contributing to an important restoration effort in our region.

Enjoy some photos from the day!