PLUMSTED – Students from New Egypt High School took part in two projects recently that involved lessons in environmental stewardship.
The students who were members of New Egypt High School’s Environmental, and Fishing and Archery Clubs joined forces to release 35 rainbow trout into the upper reaches of the Toms River.
The release took place at the Forest Resource Education Center in Jackson, where the river’s headwaters are fed by underground aquifers.
Biology teacher Gabrielle Fox told The Jackson Times that “the initiative served as a hands-on learning experience for the students, who gained valuable insights into the importance of clean water and its sources.”
“Through their participation, they deepened their understanding of environmental conservation and the vital role that freshwater ecosystems play in sustaining life,” she added.
Accompanied by educators and local environmental experts, the students actively engaged in discussions about the significance of maintaining healthy aquatic habitats. They learned about the intricate interplay between human activities and the natural environment, emphasizing the need for responsible stewardship to preserve these delicate ecosystems for future generations.
Fox noted that by releasing rainbow trout into the Toms River, the students contributed to efforts aimed at enhancing biodiversity and promoting sustainable fisheries management. “Their dedication to environmental awareness and conservation serves as an inspiring example for their peers and the wider community.”
She said, “as the trout gracefully entered their new aquatic home, the students reflected on the importance of their actions in safeguarding the integrity of freshwater ecosystems. With their newfound knowledge and commitment to environmental sustainability, they are poised to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.”
A second effort which also demonstrated a display of community spirit involved 73 volunteers who came together for a clean-up effort on Main Street in Plumsted “that yielded significant results.” This project was organized by “current and former members of the Environmental Committee and the NEHS Environmental Club, and with help from the town, the initiative aimed to tackle litter accumulation in the area and promote environmental stewardship,” Fox said.
“Armed with gloves, trash bags, and a determination to make a difference, volunteers combed through parks, trails, and streets, meticulously collecting discarded waste. Their efforts combined to a staggering 295 pounds of trash being successfully removed from the environment,” she said.
Fox, Plumsted Environmental Committee Chairman John Neyenhouse, Environmental Committee and Save Barnegat Bay member Ed Viencowski, former Environmental Committee members Stacy Reed and Kate Tallon, and Township Chief Financial Officer and Clean Communities Coordinator, Sharon Gower set up the cleanup event held at the downtown gazebo area, off Main Street. The clean-up effort was aimed at making for a leaner, cleaner township environment.
