BOONESBOROUGH — Kids love to play in water, paint and go fishing.
On Saturday, the Kentucky Riverkeeper, the Bluegrass Rotary Club and the Kidz Konnection Klub gave about 30 youngsters the chance to do all three.
They also got to learn about the ecology of the Kentucky River, which provides drinking water for nearly half a million residents of central Kentucky and also is the home to numerous aquatic species.
As the children visited the Kentucky River Museum at Fort Boonesborough State Park, the Kentucky Riverkeeper unveiled a fresh-water aquarium that simulates the habitat of one of the river’s tributary creeks.
The youngsters took turns peering into the aquarium’s transparent walls to view the layers of sand that forms a creek’s bed and catch a glimpse of some of the species that live in and along the stream.
Bluegill minnows and darters, along with other small fish, glided through the water as shiny mussel shells reflected the sun’s light. Water-penny beetles also enjoyed their watery home as the children peered wide-eyed at them in their habitat.
The aquarium, which the Riverkeeper created with grant funds, contains no live mussels, said Julie Badgett, an aquatic educator with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Most mussels are endangered species, and federal law prohibits their removal from their habitat.
Other species may become endangered if their habitats are degraded, the children were told.
“The aquarium gives museum visitors a chance to marvel at the creatures of the stream and make the connection that their good health reflects the health of our community,” said Pat Banks, who heads the Kentucky Riverkeeper organization.
“Harming the river harms more than just creatures and plants that live in and around the water we harm ourselves as well.”
The Bluegrass Rotary Club provides regular support to both the Kidz Konnection Klub and the Kentucky River Keeper, said Skip Moore, Rotary president.
Later, Badgett and Jamie Alton, another DFWR educator, took the children in two shifts to the river for a fishing lesson.
With an emphasis on safety, they were shown how to cast a line and reel in a catch.
Then, they got to try their hand at being anglers. For some of the children, it was their first time to go fishing, said Rodney Pratt of the Rotary Club.
A fisherman who was heading home showed the fish and wildlife educators a small turtle that had been snared by a fishhook. After giving the children a close look at the reptile, the hook was removed and it was returned to the water.
Back on the riverbank, the children were served a picnic lunch and given an art lesson by Banks, who also is a widely acclaimed artist.
The children painted fish and other water-related species.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@ richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Kidz Konnection Klub members Tyler Monst, left, and Kobe Watts, both 7, check out a turtle Saturday at Fort Boonesborough beach. The club members also learned to fish as part of a day spent studying the ecology of the Kentucky River.
Kids learn about river ecology
- Local News
-
-
Friday at library : Lecturer to portray founder of Berea
John G. Fee, abolitionist and founder of both Berea and Berea College, will be portrayed Friday night by performer Obadiah Ewing-Roush as part of Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua performance series at the Madison County Public Library. There is no charge to attend the 7 p.m. event.
As the son of a slave-holding father, Fee witnessed firsthand the benefits of having slaves and the profits that could be made from their labor. When he graduated from college and enrolled in Lane Theological Seminary, he began to understand the inherent wrong and destructiveness of slavery. -
Berea woman dies Tuesday in Laurel County crash
A Berea woman, Tommie Johnson, 60, died Tuesday evening in a Laurel County crash, according to the the Laurel Sheriff’s Office.
The accident took place about 7 p.m. at the junction of Maple Grove Road and KY 363 south of London, as Johnson was attempting to turn onto the state highway.
Laurel County Chief Deputy Eddy Sizemore said Johnson’s Chevrolet Cavalier pulled out in front of a Dodge Durango driven by Charles Joseph, 19, that was traveling south on KY 363.
After being extricated from her vehicle, Johnson was transported to St. Joseph-London hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Joseph also was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries, according to the accident report. -
Finally February
Ian Rosser, an Eastern Kentucky University student from Lexington, clears snow from his car parked on campus Wednesday
morning after about an inch of snow fell in Richmond. Temperatures are forcast to be in the upper 40s today. Kentucky has seen a lot of rain in the past few months, as was predicted by the Farmer's Almanac, but very little snow has fallen. -
Volunteers needed for equine therapy
The Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center will be hosting two, one-day volunteer training workshops for those interested in helping others with special needs.
The volunteer orientation days will be Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but only one day of training is required, according to Mark Martin who co-owns Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center (AFTEC) with his wife Cheryl.
The all-volunteer organization, which is based in Jackson County, uses horses to help humans deal with physical and emotional challenges. -
Man accused of holding samurai sword to girlfriend’s throat
A Madison grand jury will hear the case of a man accused of threatening to cut his girlfriend’s head off, and attacking her father with a samurai sword.
Russell M. Masters, 42, of Richmond, is charged with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, which is a Class D felony, and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence with minor injury) and resisting arrest, which both are Class A misdemeanors. Masters could receive one to five years in prison on each wanton endangerment charge, and the misdemeanors both carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail. -
Arrest made in connection with stolen jewelry, computer
Richmond police have made an arrest in connection with property stolen from two homes last fall.
A woman reported to police Monday that she had discovered several items that were missing from her home on South Killarney Drive and her grandmother’s home on Raintree Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock. The items were a set of gold hoop earrings, a white Sony Vaio laptop, a yellow gold heart pendant, a gold tennis bracelet and a ladies’ wedding band with a diamond setting.
The complainant said the belongings had gone missing sometime between August and October. -
US 25 business owners scared of five-lane plan
Voices of Berea business owners upset about upcoming construction on US 25 will be taken to the state level, according to city administrator Randy Stone.
Several people operating businesses along a section of US 25 gave comments Tuesday to the Berea City Council, asking them reconsider plans to widen the road to five lanes.
The design is a five-lane highway with a center turn lane and a 10-foot shared use path on one side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the other side. -
Grand jury to hear copper theft case
The attorney for a man accused of stealing copper from a handful of electric poles questioned his identification as the same person who took copper from 32 poles two days earlier.
Public defender Meena Mohanty questioned Richmond police officer Nicholas Duvall during a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Madison District Court. Her client, Jeffrey W. Nester, 46, of Fourth Street, was arrested in connection with a Jan. 23 copper theft. He is charged with second-degree criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking, possession of burglary tools and failure to notify address change to the Department of Transportation. These charges are all misdemeanors that, at most, carry a sentence of one year in prison. -
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
-
Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
