For the first time since 2019, the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery held its annual Earth Day event this past weekend. Environmental Education/Outreach Specialist Marsha Hart estimated that “around 500” people showed up to the event, held a few days before Earth Day, which falls on Friday, April 22, this year.
“To me, it was a very good turnout,” Hart said. “We had steady visitation all day long, with people going through all the different booths. I was pleased.”
Hart said the event was “fun for both the adults and the children.” Some of the most popular booths were the tree giveaway from the Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery and the “Birds of Prey” booth from the Liberty Nature Center, based out of Somerset.
“Birds of Prey was definitely a big hit,” Hart said. “Adults were there inquiring about the birds and were just as amazed with that as the kids were.”
Perhaps what Hart will remember most about the event, though, is the opportunity that some children had to be able to experience their first time fishing.
“A friend of mine was a volunteer that was set up at the creek with some fishing poles and baits, and she just commented on how many kids came down and several of them had never even tried to fish before,” Hart said. “It was their first time fishing. We were excited about that, providing that first-time fishing experience to some of the kids that day.”
Overall, Hart was pleased with the event and is looking forward to next year’s Earth Day event.
“I’m just happy that we had great weather and so glad that people were able to come out and enjoy it,” Hart said.
She added that the next big event for the fish hatchery is the 34th annual Catch a Rainbow Kids Fishing Derby, which will be held on Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (depending on age group).
“We’re very happy to be bringing that back,” Hart said.
