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Established in 1903, Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery is the only National Fish Hatchery (NFH) that accommodates three fish groups (warm water, cool water, and cold water). Because of the Hatchery’s unique water supply and design, it has the ability to raise a variety of aquatic groups used for several different purposes. The Hatchery’s main goal is to restore/Recover species that are federally listed or imperiled. We also raise aquatic species to assist in removing invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species , such as the Alligator Gar, which predates on invasive fishes. Another goal of the Hatchery is to raise fish for recreational fishing opportunities to the public, so that current and future generations can get out in nature and enjoy this timeless activity.
Outside of the aquatic environment, the hatchery is involved in pollinator education and conservation. There are several pollinator gardens on site, and each garden holds several different native plant species. These gardens are a great place for the pollinator species to feed and do their pollinator thing, but they are also a great tool for education to the public. In addition, Mammoth Spring NFH is fortunate enough to have a captivating Visitor Center, which allows us the opportunity to educate the public on what the hatchery does day to day, and on the multitude of other areas the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is involved.
Outreach at Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery’s Aquatic Education Center is our opportunity to connect people with nature. But it does so much more than that. For one, it allows people the chance to learn about the environment that they are a part of and learn ways to better care for it. It encourages youth to be interested in the nature that is found all around them, and it draws in young adults to the possibility of one day making a career that involves environmental conservation.
Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery was fortunate to be granted some “Fish Funds” to be used to assist in outreach. Utilizing these funds will be of great help to our outreach goals with the purchase of a Multi-Panel Outreach Banner. This banner allows us to grab the attention of the audience and further use it to visually explain the various projects that the Hatchery and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is involved in. This display has a variety of interchangeable images on many of the Programs and people associated with the hatchery. Having various interchangeable panels provides us the opportunity to display the most suitable images for the specific outreach event.
Our first use of the banner display was during Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery’s Annual Fish Fest. The event was attended by over 400 people. Although the event allows people the opportunity to catch fish, the banner display will provide information to educate the public on our various projects/programs. By having the Multi-Panel Outreach Banner on display, it draws the attention of visitors and allows us to communicate our goals. This banner display was a great tool in delivering the intended messages.
Thank you, Fish Funds, for allowing us this great opportunity to further our outreach goals!
