Courtesy Photo From left to right, agriscience teacher Connor Hubbard, a Lake Huron Sportfishing Inc. representative, Alcona Middle School science teacher Elizabeth Thomson, another Lake Huron Sportfishing Inc. representative, and Alcona Elementary Dean of Students Travis Boik pose for a photo as Lake Huron Sportfishing Inc. donates to the schools.

A recent donation from Lake Huron Sportfishing Inc. provides an opportunity to expand watershed science and fisheries studies at Alcona Community Schools.

The organization gifted more than $9,000 to support initiatives that connect Alcona students with local fisheries and water science explorations in their community.

Throughout its history, Lake Huron Sportfishing Inc. has engaged in various activities supporting Great Lakes fishing and conservation. The organization has regularly donated funds to local schools to enhance fisheries education for youth.

However, the latest donation to Alcona schools marks the final contribution from the organization, which is disbanding after nearly 40 years of service to local fisheries. As the group closes its books, Lake Huron Sportfishing Inc. officials hope the experiences students gain will honor the legacy of Lake Huron Sportfishing.

Lake Huron Sportfishing has made multiple contributions to Alcona’s fisheries education projects over the years. A team of Alcona educators has worked creatively to facilitate engaging watershed experiences and fisheries studies, connecting students with community partners and projects through the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, a regional place-based education network and partnership.

As a result, Alcona students from elementary to high school have the opportunity to explore their local waters through community-connected fisheries and watershed education experiences.

Highlights include:

∫ Elementary education: Each year, third-grade students adopt and raise a state-threatened lake sturgeon in their science classroom, which they later release as part of a joint effort to restore the native species in Black Lake near Onaway.

Science educator Jenny Schroeder guides students in learning about Michigan fish, their habitats, and conservation issues through the lens of the sturgeon.

Throughout the year, students collaborate with community partners and scientists from Sturgeon for Tomorrow, Michigan State University’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan Sea Grant, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan.

This year, elementary educator Travis Boik will work with students to revitalize the school’s partnership with the DNR Salmon in the Classroom program, using it to empower students as they care for several hundred chinook salmon from eggs to juvenile fish for release in Harrisville Harbor.

∫ Middle school education: Seventh-grade students, led by science educator Liz Thomson, explore local waterways to engage in watershed science investigations, monitoring water quality, lake ecology, food webs, aquatic invasive species, and marine debris throughout the year.

Each spring, they partner with the Lost Lake Woods Club’s Conservation Committee and their consulting fisheries biologist, along with Michigan Sea Grant and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to conduct fisheries population surveys in Badger Lake.

This past year, eighth-grade students visited Cedar Brook Trout Farm to learn about aquaculture and fish biology, even tasting smoked fish from the local farm.

Previous funds from Lake Huron Sportfishing for fishing equipment made it possible for those students to participate in an extracurricular fly-tying project, which earned them a fishing trip on the AuSable River.

“This is a highlight of the year for many of my students,” Thomson said. “Some spend all winter tying flies after finishing assignments during class and study the structure of macroinvertebrates to decide how to design their flies best. This trip is a chance for them to reap the fruits of their labor and to connect with their outdoor environment with peers on a different level. As a teacher, this trip represents so many things, and that is what makes the Lake Huron Sportfishing donations invaluable. The Lake Huron Sportfishing group allows opportunities for students to become the next generation of stewards and outdoor enthusiasts.”

∫ High school education: The agriscience program, led by educator Connor Hubbard, is currently exploring aquaculture opportunities in the newly acquired hoop house at Alcona High School.

Additionally, a new marine science class developed by educator Kathrin Luce is studying the Great Lakes and fisheries science while partnering with Harrisville Harbor, MSU Extension, Fish and Wildlife, and others to explore student stewardship project opportunities.

Notably, a newly installed rain garden at the harbor uses native water-loving plants to absorb and filter runoff before it enters Lake Huron.

Lake Huron Sportfishing’s latest donation will significantly enhance such partnerships, sustain existing projects, and support a variety of fisheries and watershed education experiences for students.

Alcona Superintendent Dan O’Connor was grateful for the donation, saying, “We are thrilled to have access to funds that will continue to offer unique experiences to our students, especially ones that are potentially life long skills. We are lucky to have Ms. Thomson and Mr. Boik working with students to provide these unique opportunities.”