JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — The Upper Delaware Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Jeff Bank have together sponsored Trout in the Classroom at Sullivan West Elementary School. On May 15, fifth-grade students will be celebrating Trout Release Day, with a number of events. The release day will take place at the junction of Route 52 and North Branch Road in Jeffersonville, where owner Jim Hughson has generously donated the use of the park. The property runs along Callicoon Creek and is maintained in memory of his daughter Lauren, a great lover of the outdoors.

Eggs that were received in classrooms in the fall have now reached the fingerling stage. Students have been journaling the observations they’ve noted during the stages of trout development and monitoring the health of the tank. Their observations have been incorporated into all areas of the curriculum. Volunteers from Trout Unlimited provided invaluable advice and assistance over the course of these past few months, and they will continue their relationship with students that day by giving fly casting demonstrations, teaching fly tying, entomology, and the art of wood carving a trout. In addition, the National Park Service will host stations featuring an enviroscape table and birds of prey. Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County’s Eat Smart New York Program educators will be on hand discussing healthy grab-and-go snacks and ways to be environmentally friendly when planning an outdoor activity. Students will release the brown trout they raised into the Callicoon Creek. Following the release, students will enjoy a picnic lunch with live entertainment sponsored by Jeff Bank, “Twist & Trout” by environmental musician Ira McIntosh.

The slate of events will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude that afternoon; a rain date has been scheduled for Friday, May 16. Community residents wishing to volunteer may contact Upper Delaware Chapter Trout Unlimited at 845/887-4714 or the school at 845/482-4610.