Trout In The Classroom

A Collaboration with Ennis Elementary School

This year (2025) we launched our inaugural “Trout in the Classroom” (TIC) Program. This is a Trout Unlimited program that introduces students to the concepts of ecology, population biology, water quality, fish anatomy, and conservation. 

The Madison River Foundation introduced TIC to both 5th grade classes at Ennis Elementary School. During a TIC program, teachers and students raise trout from eggs to fry in their classroom. TIC is a gateway stewardship experience for students and connects them with their watershed.

We are grateful to the Ennis Elementary School for helping to organize this important program for the kids.

The MRF provided the necessary equipment while the Ennis National Fish Hatchery supplied the rainbow trout eggs. The TIC program will conclude with a field trip to the Lyons Park Pond where students will release the fish they've raised. 

In March, the kiddos participated in a variety of exciting educational activities. They enjoyed an in-depth tour of the Ennis National Fish Hatchery, where they learned about raising trout, the various uses of these fish, and the process of egg collection and fertilization.

Next, hatchery Rainbow trout eggs were delivered to their classroom where USFWS Fish Health Biologist, Lacey Hopper shared insights into her career, followed by an informative fish dissection with Ennis hatchery fish.

Ron Hopper, our TIC guru, gave an incredible lesson describing the various life stages of trout. He delivered fish feed and taught the children how to care for their newly hatched trout.

A huge THANK YOU goes out to Ron Hopper and Lacey Hopper. Both did an amazing job keeping all the students captivated with their expertise—Ron with his vast knowledge of the hatchery processes, followed by Lacy in the classroom, assisting with the dissection and providing an anatomy lesson.