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I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Jessica Griglak and I am a Resource Interpretive Specialist for the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife. I began working with the agency seven years ago and love every minute of it. I have a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management, a degree I never envisioned myself having as I was growing up. I always wanted to be a math teacher! After college, I worked in Alaska for two years on the Russian and Kenai Rivers with the Forest Service, teaching about the three species of bears, salmon and all the animals and plants that inhabit the region. I also got to spend a lot of time talking about streambank restoration projects that the Forest Service was working on to stabilize and improve the Russian River habitat. I was one of two Black Bear Education Specialists hired on in New Jersey seven years ago. When funding ran out for that program, I was fortunate to be absorbed into the agency, where I began working as a Natural Resource Education Specialist, teaching children the art of fishing and all about the Pequest Trout Hatchery where I am stationed. Through many changes within our agency with people retiring and changing positions, I then found myself in charge of all the conservation education programs that we offer at our facility. Last year, NJ’s State Council of Trout Unlimited asked for help coordinating the Trout in the Classroom Program. The Division of Fish and Wildlife agreed to devote a full-time staff member to the joint project – me – and that’s where we are today. Being the coordinator for the Trout in the Classroom Project here in New Jersey is a treat and I hope you enjoy the program as much as I do. This program has re-energized me and the work that I do with the volunteers, teachers and students is priceless. I now have plenty of excuses to sit down and write journal articles, get out in the field planting riparian areas, teaching kids about coldwater conservation and aquatic insects, and so much more! I am thrilled to offer this new addition to the projects that you are all working on – whether its trout, salmon or any other fish species. I have paired each of your schools up with another school in the chart below. Your partnering school is the school in the adjacent column. For example, our first pair of schools is Boundary Street Elementary School and Helen Morgan School. Your partnering school will be the main Fin-Pal, but feel free to reach out to any other school on the list, just make sure that the other schools are willing to write to more than one school! The first letter to your partnering school should be an introductory letter, much like the one I just sent you. Have the children introduce themselves – how old they are, where they live, etc. Have your students tell your partner school how you got your eggs – were they delivered, did you pick them up, did you even get eggs? What kind of eggs did you get? Teach them about the fish that you are raising and what some of the challenges are that you have been facing as you raise the fish in the class. Don’t forget to include pictures, poems, artwork, etc. Most of just have fun! I think this is a great learning opportunity for everyone who’s involved. Currently, we have seven states in the Fin-Pal Program, plus the United Kingdom. In the years to come, I hope this program will grow and expand as more schools come on board. Jessica M. GriglakResource Interpretive Specialist I |
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Mrs. Renee Lesbo's Class ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• |
