For Release: Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Buffalo Youth Help to Stock Fish at Oppenheim Park
Children from the Northwest Buffalo Community Center today helped New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) fisheries experts with stocking trout in the lake at Oppenheim Park in Niagara Falls.
Working alongside DEC fish biologists and technicians, the children - ages 8 to 14 - helped to place 100 brown trout (12 to 15 inches long), and 190 rainbow trout (eight to nine inches long) in the lake. The biologists shared information with the students about how the fish are raised and proper stocking techniques.
NWBCC Youth Director Frank Cunningham said: "This is a great opportunity for these kids to learn about fish management, and to be active participants in the process. It also opens their eyes to the idea of wildlife management as a career path."
Some of the children are participants in DEC's Camps Diversity Program, which sponsors minority urban youth for a free week at DEC's Camp Rushford, an environmental education camp located in Allegany County. Youth at camp participate in fishing, canoeing, swimming, archery, hiking, and overnight camping trips. The program incorporates pre-camp and post-camp activities to engage the youth in their environment, prepare them to attend the camp, and keep them enjoying nature after the week at camp has ended.
DEC Environmental Educator Michael Adriaansen said: "This fish stocking is a great way to introduce local youth to the role of fish in the environment. These efforts will help us to build the next generation of environmental stewards."
DEC Regional Fisheries Manager Paul McKeown said: "We appreciate the assistance of Northwest Buffalo Community Center youth with our stocking efforts and hope that they will have the opportunity to fish these waters in the near future."
More information about DEC's Camp Rushford and DEC's Camps Diversity Program can be found on the DEC website.
