On October 16^th and 17^th, 2007, La Crosse NFWCO employees, Heidi Keuler and Ann Runstrom presented a fish capture presentation at the Trempealeau NWR Annual Environmental Days for over 100 8^th grade students from the Trempealeau area. 

This event, organized by the Trempealeau County Extension Office and the Trempealeau NWR, ran from October 17-19. 

During the four days, approximately 300 children visited Lock and Dam 6, Perrot state Park, and Trempealeau NWR.  At the Trempealeau NWR, children listened to two presentations, one on fishery biology and the other on duck biology.  Ann and Heidi showed students how fishery biologists capture fish with shocking and netting techniques and then demonstrated backpack shocking near the refuge shore with the students watching. 

Only a few live fish were observed including bullheads and young of the year bluegills.  Brian Pember from the Winona District Office of the Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Refuge and Vickie Hirschboeck from the Trempealeau NWR presented “Ducks on a Stick” and taught the budding biologists all about duck physiology and ecology. 

The eighth graders especially enjoyed this presentation because they got to touch the beautiful soft feathers of the ducks.  Both presentations helped students see how important it is to conserve our natural resources and to help them discover the mysteries of nature. 

It is just one of the many programs the Midwest Region hosts that contributes to the “No Child Left Inside” Campaign.  The Annual Environmental Days at Trempealeau are great for not only the students, but also for strengthening the partnership between Fisheries and Refuges.