The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will accept a donation dedicated to the Jordan River National
Fish Hatchery (NFH) from the Cub Scouts of East Jordan in a ceremony at the hatchery on
August 13 in Elmira, Mich. The ceremony will mark the first donation from a non-Federal
organization to a Federal hatchery since the instatement of the National Fish Hatchery System
Volunteer Act of 2006. The monies will be dedicated to Baby Brookies, an educational program
on the life cycle of brook trout. FWS Assistant Regional Director Charlie Wooley will accept
the donation at the ceremony.
The ceremony will be held at Jordan River NFH located at 6623 Turner Road, Elmira, Mich.,
from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m, Wednesday, August 13. The event is open to all media. For
additional information on the ceremony, media should call Clarice Beckner at 231/584-2461.
The National Fish Hatchery System Volunteer Act of 2006 was instated to encourage the use of
volunteers to assist in hatchery management, to promote public awareness of resource
conservation, and to encourage donations and contributions by non-Federal individuals and
organizations. The donation by the Cub Scouts to Jordan NFH will be the first contribution by a
non-Federal organization in the Hatchery System.
Baby Brookies is part of a Jordan River NFH initiative to connect people with nature called
Imaginature. Imaginature is an after school collaboration with Mancelona Public Schools and is
designed to provide children with an opportunity for unstructured and structured time outside.
The Baby Brookies program allows fifth and sixth grade students to monitor and analyze the
growth of brook trout at the hatchery. When the trout have grown to catchable-size, they are
stocked in area ponds for youth fishing events.
The 32 members of Cub Scouts of East Jordan Pack #17 raised the money by hosting a bake sale
in their local community. Roger Gordon, Jordan River NFH Project Leader said the contribution
will help fund a tank to hold brook trout in their early life stage for the Baby Brookies program.
The scouts will present their donation to the Service at Wednesday's ceremony.
Jordan River National Fish Hatchery is one of more than 60 Federal hatcheries in the National
Fish Hatchery System. The hatchery rears lake trout as part of the Great Lakes Restoration
Program. For more information on the National Fish Hatchery System, visit
http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/nfhs/
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect
and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American
people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our
scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and
commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it
happen, visit http://www.fws/gov
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