A Spring of Discovery

In the spring of 2024, the students of Dave Thomas’s Fish and Wildlife class at Belfast Area High School embarked on an ambitious and exciting journey. Their goal? To make a meaningful impact on local fish populations and river ecosystems through the Maine Forest Collaborative program.

With 25 students eager to dive into hands-on learning, the project began with a deep exploration of the significance of healthy fish populations in their local rivers. Crystal Lewis, a dedicated steward from Katahdin Woods and Waters, introduced the students to some of the challenges and solutions related to fish passage in Maine and particularly in the Penobscot River. Her insights into Atlantic Salmon and the data she provided helped frame the students’ understanding of these vital creatures' role in their ecosystem.

Armed with this knowledge, the students set their sights on the Passagassawakeag River, one of their local waterways. They planned a community science smelt survey, crucial for gathering data that would contribute to the Department of Marine Resources through GMRI's database. Tim Shaw, a passionate volunteer from Trout Unlimited, joined the students on their river adventure. With his expertise, the students learned to identify and count fish eggs, enhancing their data literacy and practical understanding of ecological monitoring.

The project also included raising awareness about the role of fish in maintaining healthy rivers. The students purchased informative signs from the Native Fish Coalition and installed them along the Ducktrap River in Lincolnville. These signs would serve as a community reminder of the vital role fish play in local waterways, fostering a connection between the students’ work and the broader public.

To further support river health, the students tackled a conservation effort in collaboration with Jack Shaida from the Coastal Mountains Land Trust. They identified a section of land along the Ducktrap River that could benefit from reforestation. With community support, they purchased and planted 25 native tree species, including silver maple, sugar maple, red maple, and yellow birch. These trees would help stabilize the riverbanks, reduce erosion, and improve overall ecosystem health, directly supporting their rural community and the various populations of anadromous fish that spawn in the Ducktrap .

Despite their success, the project did face some difficulties. Weather issues, including heavy rainstorms and snowmelt, caused river levels to rise, occasionally preventing the students from reaching their survey sites. This required rescheduling and flexibility to fit available dates and student availability. Additionally, balancing school schedules to allow all students to participate in community activities proved challenging.

Overall, the project’s impact was evident in the students’ feedback. They found the guest speakers and field trips particularly inspiring. As one student noted, "Field trips can make you realize how passionate you are about something you didn’t know anything about. I did not think I would like surveying in the river but I actually loved it." Another student shared, "It was great that people were able to come and inform us more about our topics. For me, it felt like a better learning experience for the class because we got multiple sources and different interactions." The students appreciated the opportunity to connect with the community and were enthusiastic about the knowledge shared by the guest speakers. "Fun way to connect with the community and let them know what we are doing," one student remarked, while another expressed, "It was cool having guest speakers come in and share their knowledge."

In the end, the project was a testament to the students' dedication and the support of their partners, a true collaboration. By the end of the spring, the students had gained a profound understanding of anadromous fish species, the challenges they face, and how community involvement can make a difference. They enjoyed getting out into their community and taking part in hands-on conservation work, leaving a positive impact on the local rivers they cherish.