Michael Gross, USFWS
May 14, 2021- In front of an audience of over 100 cheering classmates, news media, faculty, project partners, and community members, Palisade High School (PHS) Fish Hatchery Project released their first batch of student cultured endangered razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) into their native habitat on the Colorado River at Riverbend Park, blocks away from Palisade High School. The event made front page of the local newspaper and was featured on numerous local and regional TV news stations, as well as national Yahoo News and MSN News. 229 fish were released with the largest at 13 inches. The successful release of these endangered fish is a huge accomplishment for all students, faculty, and partners involved, immediately boosting numbers of razorback sucker in the Colorado River basin, but moreover, inspiring the next generation of conservationists with all of the lessons learned throughout the first year of this fun aquaculture project. Special thanks to all of the contributers to this unique partnership. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Mesa County Valley School District 51, Alpine Bank, Grand Junction Lions Club, Palisade Sunrise Rotary Club, Western Colorado Community Foundation, SGM and High Country Gas and Supply).