The brookies have been released!!!

Over three weeks in May, students from across Cumberland County, including those from Windham Middle, Jordan Small Middle, Westbrook Middle, and Brunswick Jr High, Greely Middle, Loranger Memorial School, and South Portland Middle, had the opportunity to release the brook trout they raised from eyed eggs starting back in February of 2025. During those few months, students documented the development of the trout, learned about their life cycles, and explored the environment trout need to survive.

Students arrived at a nearby stream permitted by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife with the trout fry carefully packed in coolers, ready to be released. Before getting the fish into the water, the students were guided through a site assessment, carefully identified the stream’s macroinvertebrate populations to make sure they had enough food, and tested the water quality to ensure the water is clean enough to support the brookies. Once their assessments were complete, each student had the opportunity to release a couple of fish!

This amazing program is funded by the Interlocal Stormwater Working Group, the Portland Water District, and taught by the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District.

Thank you to Mary Wicklund from the Town of Windham, and all of the staff from the Portland Water District and York County Soil & Water Conservation District who volunteered their time to help with the trout releases.

Thank you to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife for providing the brook trout eggs to our classrooms!