RE: NANFA-- youth and fish worship

Denkhaus, Robert (DenkhaR_at_ci.fort-worth.tx.us)
Thu, 26 Sep 2002 14:59:22 -0500

While we are talking about kids and fish, I must tell you about my daughters
(ages 8 & 11). They've been coming to work with me (when they weren't in
school) since they were able to keep up. Their favorite days are those that I
have aquatic programs down on our boardwalk over Lotus Marsh. I usually get
in the water and dip net various sites while nature center visitors try their
hand with the net while staying dry on the boardwalk. When someone caught
something, I would go over and try to provide some information on the critter
and then place it in a series of small tanks strung along the walkway for
people to see. My daughters, having heard my mini-lectures many, many times,
now often sit on the boardwalk doing the talking. I have listened to and
watched them enthrall passersby with their knowledge of dragonfly life history
while holding a large nymph, or lecture them on the differences between
blackstripe topminnows and gambusia. They even throw in a good conservation
message to wrap up their talks. I couldn't be prouder of them. Someday, they
will be on this list and active in NANFA. Maybe I'll groom them to for
president and A.C. editor if Bruce and Chris will keep the positions warm for
them!!!

Rob Denkhaus
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
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