MCTC students embark on educational trip

Published on Nov 4, 2024

By Rachel Adkins

Ecology students at Maysville Community and Technical College recently stocked trout at Red River Gorge on an educational trip. 

Justin Weiss, a professor in the mathematics and science department at MCTC, led students to the opportunity through his connection to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. 

Since connecting with Nathan Hayes, an assistant fisheries biologist at the department, Weiss has taken roughly 13 classes to Red River Gorge for unique experiences. 

“I look forward to taking students each year to Red River Gorge, as many have never been,” Weiss remarked. 

With educational trips like this, MCTC’s students see various benefits.

“Trout stocking is a way to integrate concepts from my ecology class into the real world,” Weiss said. “In addition, students get to experience what I believe is one of Kentucky’s most unusual ecosystems.”

This year, ecology students stocked trout at Chimney Top Creek with the Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Department (KFWD).

The Backcountry Hunters & Anglers group joined ecology students on the trip. 

Making for a record number of volunteers, about 50 people assisted KFWD with the hike and transporting trout into Chimney Top Creek.

Each KFWD team begins their day driving a truck and small hauling tank to Wolfe Creek Hatchery in Jamestown. 

There, the trout are loaded to begin their journey to Red River Gorge. 

The six-inch fish are divided into bags based on the number of volunteers at the transport. This year, each volunteer had between six and nine fish in their bags. 

Each bag of fish is filled with two gallons of water and oxygen and secured with a castration bag before volunteers begin their hike. 

KFWD’s team ensures there are no leaks in the bags given to volunteers that day. 

After playing a role in the deposit of 500 trout, ecology students explored Red River Gorge’s trails, viewed natural bridges and rode through Nada Tunnel.

Students dined at Miguel’s Pizza before returning to campus. 

Overall, students on the trip had an eventful and educational experience thanks to Weiss and his eagerness to engage students in real-life activities.