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Volunteers launch 2,000 brook trout into Junction Creek

Hundreds of people gathered at Twin Forks Playground to launch brook trout into the creek as part of the annual Junction Creek Festival and Trout Release
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Jessica Cashman and her daughter, Marin McGregor, 3, launch trout into Junction Creek on Saturday.

Junction Creek is now 2,000 brook trout stronger, with hundreds of volunteers coming out to join in launching the fish into the waterway.

All things environmental were celebrated at the Junction Creek Festival and Trout Release, where turtles and snakes were on display courtesy of Science North. Native plants were also installed along the creek's bank.

Trout were scooped out of a tank and dropped into pails for people — mostly children — to take turns easing into the creek.

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Trout are loaded into pails for people to deposit into Junction Creek on Saturday. Tyler Clarke / Sudbury.com

Rather than just launch trout into the creek themselves, Junction Creek Stewardship Committee executive director Miranda Virtanen said the annual event helps get the community involved.

When people are active participants, she said they’re more likely to build an appreciation for nature and remain engaged in the long term.

“It’s really important to have the community involved in all aspects of the restoration and healing of Junction Creek and the watershed,” she said.

“It’s a really fun activity and a great time to get together and celebrate the accomplishments that everyone has done together in the creek.”

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Crista Hunda and her son Remi Rainville, 5, launch trout into Junction Creek on Saturday. Tyler Clarke / Sudbury.com

Brook trout were historically in Junction Creek, she said, but mining and forestry practices decimated the population. Restoration work has helped return trout to the creek, where they have been able to survive.

This, Virtanen said, “is a huge accomplishment since brook trout are so sensitive to water quality.”

It is the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee’s 25th year. More information is available on the organization by visiting their website at junctioncreek.com.

Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.

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Frankie Lamothe launches trout into Junction Creek on Saturday. Tyler Clarke / Sudbury.com
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Brennan Smith joins his parents Curtis and Colleen (Turner) in planting swamp milkweed along the shore of Junction Creek on Saturday. Tyler Clarke / Sudbury.com
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Junction Creek Stewardship Committee volunteer Patrick Auge hands people pails full of trout to launch into the creek on Saturday. Tyler Clarke / Sudbury.com
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Bruce Doran from Science North holds up a milk snake he used to teach children about biology at Twin Forks Playground during the Junction Creek Festival and Trout Release. Tyler Clarke / Sudbury.com

 



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