By Jolene Farley
The Hills-Beaver Creek High School Wildlife Biology class braved snow and cold Wednesday to help the Topeka Shiner, an endangered species in Rock County streams.
Teacher Tom Goehle and his seven students helped plant 800 feet of riverbank with sapling willow trees to help restore critical spawning areas for the fish.
The saplings were gathered, with permission of the landowner, from trees in the area several miles south of Luverne, just east of Highway 75.
Large boulders were also placed along the banks of the Rock River to prevent sedimentation.
Goehle said this project gives his students a better understanding of taking care of our environment and things that can be done to preserve what we have.
The Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District received funds from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the stream bank stabilization project on the Rock River.
The presence of the Shiner in the Rock River and its tributaries prompted the project as a habitat protection measure.
Henning Construction, Adrian, also worked on the project, under the supervision of the USFW.
The Rock County Land Management Office warns snowmobilers of rocks in the stream channel and to use caution if riding in the area.