Canton’s wildlife management class has decided to build fish habitats for their fishy friends. Due to the lack of rain causing water to be taken out of Canton lake, our fishy friends have been struggling, so in order to take charge and help, they are taking part in making fish habitats. Using four ingredients these students are making some creative habitats.

As this long drought is continuing to hurt Oklahoma, our lake is going to continue to drain for Oklahoma City. Many Canton residents are very agitated with the situation. This however has not only affected the people, but the wildlife that resides in Canton. Fish, specifically, are being hurt by the constant draining of water. Water is their home, and without it, where are they going to go? Nowhere, because they can’t get up and walk away. Noticing this problem, Canton wildlife management took a leap to save their fish. 

“It provides a habitat to let the fish continue to live and lets them safely reproduce to populate the lake for future fishermen,”  Shania Wood, wildlife management teacher, said. 

Mack Wood, a fish technician for the north west region, and Luke Taylor, biologist for the north west region, both came to show the students how to make their fish habitats. The amount of time it takes to make one of these is insane. It took one class almost a whole class period to make just one habitat. Making these is harder than most can imagine. The students making these have struggled to pull the pipe through the cutter to slice the end into four pieces. 

Two classes have a goal to make as many habitats they can as soon as possible. Having high school students make these habitats involves them in the real world of saving the wildlife here in Canton. However, involving them in this at an age they can understand the seriousness of it makes them see the troubles the environment is facing. As students continue to be involved, they are waking up to the seriousness of the world around them. 

“It feels like I’m giving back to the environment, and I’m helping keep the fish life in the lake alive,” Brandon Day, senior, said. 

As our seniors are leaving they can get a little emotional seeing their beloved lake is slowly disappearing as well as their fish. Making these habitats is a way they get to see the fish continue to thrive for them to come catch them on their next fishing trip. Fishing is a way many people bond, and for Canton residents it is a large way of spending their free time.