On August 13th Deputy Regional Director Charlie Wooley of the Midwest Region accepted the first donation under the authority of the National Fish Hatchery System Volunteer Act on behalf of Jordan River National Fish Hatchery, Elmira, Michigan.

Staff, friends, volunteers and partners of Jordan River National Fish Hatchery (NFH) this August hosted a celebration event in recognition of Pack #17 Cub Scouts of East Jordan, Michigan.  The scouts held a “baked goods auction”, raising nearly five hundred dollars, which the pack donated directly to the hatchery.  The donation is the first of its kind in the country.  The 2006 National Fish Hatchery System Volunteer Act legislation allows National Fish Hatcheries to accept funds directly from the public for use at the facility and even for specific projects. 

The cub scouts donated the funds to aid in the expansion and development of the “Baby Brookies” project at Jordan River NFH.  The donation helped to fund a new fiberglass rearing tank for the hatchery.  Baby Brookies, part of “Imaginature” an after school program partnership, is designed to provide students the opportunity to be involved with raising brook trout at the hatchery.  About once a month the Imaginature students visit the hatchery checking on their fish and assisting with or learning about some aspect of fish culture, trout biology and stream ecology.  The students are then “cut loose” for “field frolic” the last fifteen minutes of their visit, to experience the out of doors on the hatchery grounds.  The program then donates the catchable sized brook trout to local kids fishing events. The students also assist with stocking the fish prior to the kids fishing event. 

Some of the speakers attending the event included, Charlie Wooley, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Deputy Regional Director, Joe Moran, USFWS Chief of Budget and Performance Management, Division of the National Fish Hatchery System and Ron Braham from the Scenic Trails Council of Boy Scouts of America.  Charlie Wooley graciously accepted a check from the members of Pack #17 on behalf of the hatchery.  Joe Moran a lifelong Scout and Eagle Scout himself told the boys, “Scouts are trained to step-up and act.  Cub Scout Pack #17, you stepped up.   You are the FIRST group to raise and donate funds to a National Fish Hatchery under this legislation.  We are here to celebrate you, your leaders, and your parents.  Next year, some young person may look in your tank and think that science is the coolest thing in the world.  He or she might grow up to be a scientist that discovers the cure for a deadly disease, a doctor that saves the life of the President, or a job just as important….being a good parent and a citizen that cares about our natural resources…… all because they looked at fish swimming in your tank.  You never know…. that’s why, what you have done is so important to us.”

One of the cub scouts from Pack #17 said, “It’s exciting to be the first one to do anything.”  How true! It was an exciting day for the Service, Jordan River NFH and all the volunteers who contribute their time, talents, and now money, to help advance the mission of the Service and National Fish Hatchery programs.