Information and Education

Public support is essential to recover the endangered fishes, now and in the future. Program partners visit schools, attend community events, engage anglers and boaters along the rivers, present at professional meet­ings, and develop a variety of printed materials and educational items that inform people about the value of endangered fish in their communities. Partners are especially passionate about engaging students of all ages. There are programs like “Razorback Sucker in the Classroom” for fourth graders and a high school hatchery project in Palisade, CO. Both of these programs use native fish as the basis for STEM activities in science, technology, engineering and math. The video above was a fish release into the Green River near Vernal Utah. The fish had been raised in a fourth grade elementary class. The recovery programs participate at water festivals, close to critical habitat, where kids handle native fish and learn about river ecosystems.

During a fish release in Grand Junction, students have the opportunity to weigh, measure and kiss (or touch their nose) one of the fish they helped raise.