OVER the past two decades Clyde in the Classroom has cared for and released hundreds of thousands of fish, brought mobile hatcheries into more than 1000 schools and inspired multiple generations of children.

Now, the project that seeks to bring the River Clyde into the classroom, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Since 2001 the scheme – led by the Clyde River Foundation, based at the University of Glasgow – has inspired more than 30,000 children across the west of Scotland to learn about ecology and wildlife.

Over the years pupils have been encouraged by experts to learn about sustainability and causes of pollution through hands-on

learning and excursions to

accessible river areas.

The project sees brown trout egg hatcheries brought into all participating schools, with pupils and teachers taught how to maintain water quality and look after the fish as they hatch and grow. After several weeks, the Clyde River Foundation team helps the children release their fish.

The 20th edition of the project launched yesterday as partner Glasgow Science Centre began hosting a new six-day course for hundreds of children to learn about the ecology and history of the River Clyde.

Dr Willie Yeomans, Clyde River Foundation catchment manager, said: “For the past 20 years we have been building a Clyde in the Classroom community across our eight counties, working with around 75% of primary Schools in the overall River Clyde catchment

area.

“We are proud to have enthused over 30,000 future stewards to date, all of whom now have a good understanding of the river, what lives in and beside it, and the effects of

pollution and other threats.”

Tara Gibson, senior learning co-ordinator at Glasgow Science Centre added: “The environmental citizenship learning involved in Clyde in the Classroom has never been more relevant and topical as we focus on looking after

our planet.

“The project is chock full of cross-curricular potential and is a unique opportunity for the

children to discover nature on their

doorstep.”

The Clyde River Foundation was founded to improve the understanding of the River Clyde system’s management. It employs five full-time scientists and is based at the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine.