FINS Program makes special delivery to Kindergarten class

Organized and funded by the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and its regional branches, the Fish in Schools (FINS) Program is an initiative that allows Saskatchewan students the opportunity to observe and take part in local fish conservation efforts. Thanks to the equipment provided by the Weyburn Wildlife Federation, students in Candice Porter's Kindergarten class at St. Michael School will have a front-row seat as approximately 100 Rainbow Trout eggs incubate, hatch, and grow into viable specimens for release. 

Students taking their first looks at the Rainbow Trout eggs that will remain in their care for the next few months.

Judy Olfert of the Weyburn Wildlife Federation was in attendance for the delivery of the eggs and said that Ms. Porter has been a regular participant in the annual program.

"Candice has been doing this for 3 years now, so she's pretty much got it down pat," Olfert commented. "These eggs came from the Fort Qu'Appelle hatchery, so we delivered them along with the aquarium, filters and chiller which was all purchased by us. The kids will watch the eggs hatch and once the fish are about 2 inches long, Candice will bring them for a fieldtrip to Mainprize so the students can each release a couple fish into the pond."

Students taking a whiff of the pungent-smelling food that their hatchling trout will later enjoy.

Olfert also shared that the Wildlife Federation provides each participating classroom with an educational binder filled with information that teachers can refer to during lessons, and food that the hatchling trout will need later on. 

The FINS Program is open to all ages and any Weyburn Classroom can apply through the Weyburn Wildlife Federation to take part in next year's hatch. Other schools can do the same by contacting their local Wildlife Federation branch.