Eels in the Classroom: Developing an Environmental Education Outreach Program to Promote Migratory Fish Awareness.

Henning, Aaron¹, ¹Susquehanna River Basin Commission

Restoration of migratory fish species to the Susquehanna River Basin is a stated goal of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) as well as the overall objective of the Susquehanna River Anadromous Fish Restoration Cooperative (SRAFRC). Prior to the 20th century the Susquehanna River supported a robust diadromous fish community including American shad, river herring, sturgeon and American eel. Construction of hydroelectric dams across the lower river ended volitional migratory fish runs and eventually necessitated restoration efforts through various fish passage mechanisms. In 2016 via FERC re-licensing, a long-term plan to trap & transport American eel around the dams was implemented and through 2022 has moved more than 2 million eels upriver. In addition to the physical transporting of fish, a novel environmental education program was developed in-house by SRBC to accompany the American eel restoration effort. In cooperation with fellow resources agencies and the project licensee a nominal proportion of the annual elver capture is distributed to in-basin schools for in classroom rearing and ultimately, re-release back into the watershed. Expanding from 2 schools to 26 in four years, this program has proven effective in raising awareness of American eel and provide K-12 students with a unique hands-on opportunity to participate in migratory fish restoration.