What are 50 students from Dover Middle School doing in the Cocheco River on a crisp fall day with NH Fish and Game’s very own aquatic specialist Judy and LGF coordinator Karina; their own version of “river dance.”
This is a technique to stir up the substrate and gather the macroinvertebrates (we call them BUGS) to determine the quality of the water providing habitat for the fish and other aquatic beings. Up river, slightly, 50 more students are testing the dissolved oxygen and pH or acid levels of the same river.
The 7th and 8th graders also have a tank of native river fish collected by Judy and Karina to study all winter and will be raising brook trout in the classroom to release in the Cocheco when they hatch next spring IF they determine the water quality in the river is OK. Thanks to the land protection efforts of the city of Dover, Measured Progress and Liberty Mutual, the students and the public will have access to that beautiful river in perpetuity to do studies and maybe enjoy a little fishing and wildlife watching.
Great Bay Trout Unlimited and the NH Fish and Game Department are also working to provide better fishing access down to the shores of the water for everyone. One more example of a great partnership with everyone pulling together to help Mother Nature maintain a healthy environment for all to enjoy. |
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