Imaginature program logo developed by Tim Smigielski at Jordan River NFH

Mancelona Public Schools Choose Success program, together with Jordan River National Fish Hatchery (NFH) have been forging partnerships with many organizations and private citizen volunteers to deliver after school programs designed to get students outside and into nature.   As part of the Imaginature program, students from Mancelona Elementary and Middle School will raise brook trout at the hatchery.  These brook trout will be cared for by the students until the fish are ready to be stocked into Johnson’s Pond for the Annual Opening Day Children’s Fishing Events.  Since the fry that recently hatched won’t be catchable size this spring, hatchery staff have arranged for a transfer of about 500 mature fish to the hatchery.  While tending to the trout during their visits to the hatchery over the next year, the students will learn about brook trout biology and ecology, fish culture and hatchery operations. If you are interested in volunteering for any of the Imaginature activities or just want to know more about this exciting new program please contact Tim Smigielski, USFWS Jordan River NFH at 231-584-2461.