01-16-2011, 12:12 PM
FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort is proud to announce the grand opening of a new, interactive exhibit.
"Get on Board" greets visitors by inviting them to enter the exhibit through the mouth of a huge Kentucky spotted bass and into an operating fish hatchery. Visitors will enjoy a hands-on learning experience about the efforts of fisheries biologists from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to manage and maintain healthy fish populations.
Families and kids can learn how fish eggs are fertilized, hatched and then the fish raised to stocking sizes for eventual release into our lakes and rivers. Next, visitors can experience how biologists gather fish from the water in a shocking boat. Stepping on a foot pedal simulates the electric current used to stun fish and bring them to the surface. Visitors can net catfish replicas, then weigh and measure their catch before releasing them back into the water.
Who pays for the management of Kentucky's fish? Anglers do! In the next station of the exhibit, visitors use a boat-shaped Plinko game to follow the path that money follows from anglers back to biologists. Gamers can then decide whether they want to fund conservation through the purchase of a fishing license.
The "Get on Board" experience wraps up with a photo-op that allows kids to appear on the cover of Kentucky Afield magazine holding their trophy striped bass.
Salato Wildlife Education Center worked closely with the department's fisheries division to design the new exhibit. Funding for the exhibit came from the non-profit Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Act.
The Salato Center has a variety of native animals for the public to see, including a black bear, an eagle, bobcats, elk, deer, bison, snakes and fish. The center has numerous indoor exhibits and miles of hiking trails open to the public. Fishing is available at two lakes. While some programs may require a registration fee, general admission to the Salato Center is free.
For more information, call 1-800-858-1549, ext. 4445. Learn more about upcoming events at the Salato Center on the Internet at fw.ky.gov. The Salato Center, operated by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, is located at the department's headquarters at #1 Sportsman's Lane (formerly #1 Game Farm Road), off U.S. 60 in Frankfort, 1.5 miles west of U.S. 127. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The center is closed Sundays, Mondays and state holidays.
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The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
"Get on Board" greets visitors by inviting them to enter the exhibit through the mouth of a huge Kentucky spotted bass and into an operating fish hatchery. Visitors will enjoy a hands-on learning experience about the efforts of fisheries biologists from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to manage and maintain healthy fish populations.
Families and kids can learn how fish eggs are fertilized, hatched and then the fish raised to stocking sizes for eventual release into our lakes and rivers. Next, visitors can experience how biologists gather fish from the water in a shocking boat. Stepping on a foot pedal simulates the electric current used to stun fish and bring them to the surface. Visitors can net catfish replicas, then weigh and measure their catch before releasing them back into the water.
Who pays for the management of Kentucky's fish? Anglers do! In the next station of the exhibit, visitors use a boat-shaped Plinko game to follow the path that money follows from anglers back to biologists. Gamers can then decide whether they want to fund conservation through the purchase of a fishing license.
The "Get on Board" experience wraps up with a photo-op that allows kids to appear on the cover of Kentucky Afield magazine holding their trophy striped bass.
Salato Wildlife Education Center worked closely with the department's fisheries division to design the new exhibit. Funding for the exhibit came from the non-profit Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Act.
The Salato Center has a variety of native animals for the public to see, including a black bear, an eagle, bobcats, elk, deer, bison, snakes and fish. The center has numerous indoor exhibits and miles of hiking trails open to the public. Fishing is available at two lakes. While some programs may require a registration fee, general admission to the Salato Center is free.
For more information, call 1-800-858-1549, ext. 4445. Learn more about upcoming events at the Salato Center on the Internet at fw.ky.gov. The Salato Center, operated by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, is located at the department's headquarters at #1 Sportsman's Lane (formerly #1 Game Farm Road), off U.S. 60 in Frankfort, 1.5 miles west of U.S. 127. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The center is closed Sundays, Mondays and state holidays.
-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.