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About TIC in the White River valley

Trout in the Classroom is an environmental education program in which students raise brook trout from eggs before releasing them in a state-approved stream.

The Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GUVTU) and White River Partnership (WRP) work together to coordinate Trout in the Classroom (TIC) with interested White River valley schools each year (see White River valley map here).

The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is the lead facilitator of the TIC program in Vermont, coordinating an in-person TIC Annual Workshop and ongoing programmatic support throughout the year.

TIC calendar

The TIC program runs annually from October through June. Key dates include:

• October: WRP drops-off (new participants) or inventories (returning participants) TIC equipment
• November: VINS leads an in-person training for all participants
• December: Teachers and students set-up their TIC equipment and supplies
• January: WRP and GUVTU drop-off 100 brook trout eggs to each TIC aquarium
• January – May: Teachers and students maintain a healthy ecosystem for brook trout
• May – June: Teachers and students release brook trout in a state-approved stream
• June: Teachers clean/store equipment and share data

Follow this link for the full TIC calendar.

White River valley TIC liaison

The WRP serves as the primary TIC liaison for participating teachers in White River valley schools. Roles include:

• Providing FREE TIC equipment via the WRP Lending Library
• Coordinating purchase and distribution of annual TIC supplies (see more info below)
• Delivering brook trout eggs
• Providing technical support as needed
• Assisting with brook trout release as needed
• Conducting year-end inventory and storage of WRP Lending Library equipment

Please contact WRP Watershed Scientist Dan ‘rudi’ Ruddell for more information: rudiATwhiteriverpartnership.org

TIC equipment & supplies

The TIC equipment (tank, chiller, filter, etc) will be part of a Lending Library managed by the WRP and can remain at the school as long as the school intends to participate.

We ask that each participating White River valley school commits to providing annual funding support – approximately $100/year – to cover the cost of TIC supplies (see TIC supplies list here).

For returning schools, the WRP will purchase the annual TIC supplies on your behalf and deliver the supplies along with an invoice.

Interested in learning more?

TIC is a national program – visit the Trout Unlimited TIC website to learn more! Or contact rudi to learn more about the White River TIC program: rudiATwhiteriverpartnership.org.