Nimbus Hatchery Tours

Mike Howes

This program was established to educate our members and the local community in the functions of the hatchery and the life cycle of the salmon.  It also promotes our club; each member wears their GBF ball cap when giving tours.  The members conduct school tours during the salmon/steelhead spawning period (November to January) at the hatchery. The members give guided tours consisting of 15-25 school children and their chaperones around the hatchery grounds explaining the various aspects of the hatchery and the salmon life cycle.  Many of the students are involved in the Salmon egg program, so they have knowledge of the salmon life cycle. The tour builds upon this knowledge giving the students a better appreciation for their learning’s and for one of nature’s wonders.

The learning curve for the GBF members to be tour guides is rapid.  They are given facts sheets about the salmon and hatchery.  They do school tours with an experienced guide until the GBF member feels he/she is confident enough to do it on his or her own.  The Hatchery staff is also a valuable resource. Another learning opportunity is to attend the Teachers Workshop for the Salmon Egg Program.  The workshop is design to inform the teachers on the salmon life cycle and the care of the fish tanks in the classroom.  The date for the workshop will be announced in “The Leader”. 

The GBF members this year experienced the joy and inquisitiveness of the school children.  They themselves gained knowledge and the satisfaction of sharing this knowledge.  The members that participated in 2003 were: Kathy Long, Larry Goodell, Bev Hagopian, Bill Hagopian, and Mike Howes.

We look forward to next years program and we look forward to more members being involved in the Nimbus Hatchery School Tour Program.  This program qualifies for the Golden Trout program.

If you have any questions about the program or would like to participate, please feel free to contact Meg Grow at the Hatchery:

North Central Region
Meg Grow (916) 358-2884 mgrow@dfg.ca.gov
(includes counties of Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba)

Above the GBF Team from left to right:
Mike Howes, Kathy Long, Bill Hagopian, Bev Hagopian and Larry Goodell

Below is the GBF team in action.