STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — Students from three Staunton City schools are set to release Brook Trout into local waterways this month, marking the culmination of their participation in the Trout in the Classroom program.

Since the fall, students at Bessie Weller Elementary, Shelburne Middle, and Ware Elementary have raised Brook Trout, a native Virginia species found in area streams, from eggs to fingerlings, gaining hands-on experience in aquatic science and conservation.

The national program is hosted locally by Trout Unlimited’s Waynesboro chapter in partnership with the Friends of the Middle River, the Lewis Creek Watershed Advisory Committee and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Students have learned about watersheds, stream health, and the vital role of trout in freshwater ecosystems.

The program will conclude this spring with a series of trout release events, during which students will release their fish into the wild, guided by representatives from the partnering organizations. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in various nature activities during these events.