BHS Ecology Club Leads District’s First Trout Release

BEACHWOOD, OH – After a weather delay due to cold temperatures, the Beachwood High School Ecology Club successfully held its Trout Release on March 31. As part of the Trout in the Classroom Program, students raised trout from eggs while learning about aquatic ecosystems, water quality, and the importance of maintaining healthy habitats.

On release day, students released 200 trout fingerlings into Doan Brook and conducted water testing to evaluate its overall health. This location is especially significant because it allows the fingerlings access to the pathway leading toward Lake Erie, connecting their release to a much larger watershed system. From monitoring temperature and oxygen levels to observing the environment firsthand, students saw just how sensitive aquatic life is to change. Sophomore Kale Ehasz shared that students look forward to doing more water testing in the future, showing how meaningful this experience was.

This work was supported by Kevin Lyn, Northeast Ohio Trout in the Classroom coordinator; Emily Kao, Director of Education for Friends of Doan Brook; Dan Russell, Trout in the Classroom mentor; Marquiza Russell, Ecology Club Adviser; and Joe Marino, Job Training Coordinator. Their guidance helped make this experience both successful and impactful for students.

This project reinforced a simple but important idea that caring for the environment is everyone’s responsibility. While the Ecology Club may lead these efforts, every student plays a role in being a steward of our planet. Small, consistent actions, like protecting our water systems, can make a lasting impact.