Fall 2012

Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division Logo

Advent Episcopal School Enjoys Creek Kids on October 4, 2012

Sport Fish Restoration

During a visit to the old school house at Tannehill, students volunteered to answer Mrs. Morrison's questions.	We used green Kool-Aid to represent fertilizer and cocoa for mud or silt. Silt is one of the main pollutants affecting aquatic life in our waterways.
A squirt bottle is used as a substitute for rain to simulate the effects of pollution in a watershed.
As Biologist Moss pointed out, the sluice at the grist mill is an excellent place to find some of Alabama's freshwater mussel species.	The EnviroScape model shows students how pollutants on land can enter water source. This type of pollution is known as nonpoint source pollution.
Students are encouraged to have fun while learning about our aquatic environment.	Although Asiatic Ccams are not native to Alabama, they are commonly found by students. Asiatic clams are an example of an exotic species.
Students are surprised to experience the cold waters of the Bubbling Spring for the first time. As Mrs. Morrison and Mr. Moss pointed out, these springs are fed by groundwater.	The seine is an important tool biologists use to collect fish samples from a stream.
Mr. Moss helps students collect their catch from the seine. Several species of minnows were on display.	Students add newly caught fish to the aquarium for better viewing. A large Alabama hog sucker can be seen swimming on the bottom of the aquarium.
Using a seine takes practice, but it is always exciting to see what we caught.	Intern Sandi Parten sorts through leaves and other debris in the seine to find fish.
These students are fascinated by the Alabama hog sucker. What an unusual name for a fish!	Mr. Moss welcomes students to help him search for aquatic invertebrates. These creatures are commonly found under rocks on the bottom of streams.
Viewing scopes help students see tiny aquatic invertebrates. We learned that many of these creatures eventually become adult insects and live on land.	Many fish which are not commonly seen by anglers are on this board so students are able to identify the fish in the aquarium.
Although mostly harmless this Gray Rat Snake is a reminder of why it is important to be careful outdoors. Students were excited to see an animal that is normally not part of the program.	There are many species of snakes in Alabama and most are non-venomous, however students are reminded to respect our wildlife and enjoy animals like this from a distance.