Story and Photos by Enyerly Reyes
Normally, many students are uninterested in going on the field trip the moment they hear about “hiking” “fishing” and especially “science teacher”. However, this field trip was anything but boring; it was entertaining, educational, interesting, and fun. We went from stocking a pond with new fish, seeing preserved animals, and learning about different wild plants, to learning how to fish on our own and catching our own fish. Seeing the science life cycles was much more interesting in person than just by reading about it in a book.
The experience was very beautiful and interesting. We were learning so much about the wildlife, how the fish are raised. The life cycle of fish is fascinating. We also learned about the relationship between the fishery and the plants that surround it. Using smell, which is impossible to get from a book or even on the internet, there were a lot of species of plants that some people used to cook or make medicine that can be identified by how they smell.
One of the most interesting areas was when we were first introduced to what the wildlife looked like, how many animals lived, and how they survived during the winter or summer seasons, on a short hike. After walking up, we discovered there used to be a train track that used to pass by. But after its shutdown, it got covered with plants and roots, revitalizing the area that had been abandoned for many years. Nature reclaimed the area that was disturbed by the train. There were also some streets, but the plants have outgrown the area with trees, plants, and flowers, which now make the animals their home.
Along the hike we were introduced to many facts about trees, especially how the trees and other plants are necessary for the animal life in the area. For example, some dead trees can be used as animal shelters, and if they get cut down, it is probably the best because no other plants around them would get damaged. Forest management is important because people can help maximize the relationship between the forest and all the animals who call it home.
In late winter and early spring, there are people who go to maple trees to get the sap that will be turned into maple syrup. They use a device that can milk out the syrup and produce it so people can eat it and enjoy it with their pancakes or waffles. Interesting, but there were not any samples of maple syrup.
At the end of the long walk through the forest, we arrived at a big pond that was stocked full of fish. We were assured that the fish were ready to be caught. Students were allowed to go fishing, and if they wanted take the fish with them, or they could just release them back to the pond. Some chose to take it and eat it at home, though no one mentioned who was going to clean the fish.
But as for myself, I was one of the lucky people who caught a fish! It wasn’t that big, but it was definitely something. While it was exciting to catch a fish, I let it go. A fun fish fact that I did not know was that if you want to release a fish (instead of eating it) you can actually just cut the string, and the hook will stay on the fish’s stomach, where it will dissolve in the fish’s stomach acid. It should be gone in two or three weeks. I had always wondered about hooks and if it hurt the fish, but they have some pretty intense stomach acid.
After the fishing we still had some time, so we explored the preserve further. Another interesting plant was something that naturally grows in New Jersey, though it is getting rare. It is called may apple, but it is not actually an apple tree. This plant can be used to make an edible Jelly, but the plant only blooms in May. I guess that is why they call it may apple.
