| July 9, 2008 |
The Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited returned to the area again this week to introduce the students of its River Conservation and Fishing Camp to the process of hands-on habitat restoration.
With good weather, lots of small trees, and a handful of flooded waders, 20 students from all over the U.S. participated in the placement of Large Woody Debris in the mainstream of the Au Sable River. The kids were joined by several adult chaperones, the restoration crew leader, Ken Reed, and two Huron Pines AmeriCorps members, Jessica Moyer and Nathan Skibbe.
For the third year in a row, we had the pleasure of introducing the kids to habitat restoration and enhancement. Over 50 trees were placed along banks of the Au Sable River to replenish woody material that has deteriorated over time.
As the woody debris decomposes in the water it provides organic matter back to the base of the food chain. “The nutrients and organic matter from these trees help feed the insects that the fish eat” explained Patrick Ertel, Huron Pines Restoration Project Manager. When asked if there were favored trees for this work, Ertel continued, “All trees are better than no trees, but we really like to maximize the three-dimensional complexity of the habitat, so we look for trees that help us accomplish that.”
After the hard work of restoring in-stream habitat the kids were quickly off to canoe the Upper Manistee. Other activities of the camp include an entomology course, lessons in hydrology, and fly-fishing techniques such as fly-tying and casting.
Eleven chapters of Trout Unlimited were represented at the River Conservation and Fishing Camp, with several of those chapters having sponsored at least one camper. Trout Unlimited Chapters represented were: Kalamazoo Valley, Headwaters, Copper Country, Martuch, Fred Waara, Mershon, Perrin, Adams, Paul Young, Mad River, and Pueblo.
Thank you again for all of the hard work put forth by the students for the in-stream restoration efforts and to the Kalamazoo Valley Chapter for continuing the tradition of the River Conservation and Fishing Camp.
Please visit http://www.huronpines.org/project/72 for more information. |
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