When Cibolo Creek starts flowing once again, fish that inhabit the waters will find “a place to call home” thanks to a group of Boerne ISD students.
Champion High School students designed and constructed five large fish habitats that will help the creatures flourish in their new region.
Dorman Vick, in his 18th year as Boerne ISD’s welding/ag mechanics technology instructor at Champion, said the fish habitats — ranging in size from 11 feet to 20 feet, each weighing about 1,000 pounds — represent the third project his ag mechanical-welding students have completed in a partnership with the city of Boerne.
“My students designed, fabricated and welded nearly a quarter mile of weld on these five fish structures,” Vick said. “Every Champion High School ag mechanical/welding student participated in the design and construction of this project.”
The program has built fish structures for Boerne Lake and built the custom main entrance to the Boerne Cemetery last year.
“We are extremely blessed to have the city of Boerne’s senior leadership that believes in our CHS ag mechanical kids and have worked so closely with us through this five-year partnership,” Vick said. “Teaching students to put others ahead of their own selves is a priceless gift to obtaining great success.”
The fish habitats were delivered Feb. 28 to the nearly dry creek bed and put into place.
The all-metal structures complement the natural habitats that are part of the project and were bolted into the bedrock of the creek.
“This project is to increase fish habitat in the newly cleaned out Cibolo Creek. By adding habitat to any body of water, it increases the quality and quantity of aquatic life that it can sustain,” Vick said.
Vick and Boerne ISD officials thanked City Manager Ben Thatcher, Assistant City Manager Danny Zinke and Parks and Recreation Department Director Lissette Jimenez for making the connection with the Champion program program.
“We are beyond excited,” he said, “for what next year will bring in this ongoing partnership that puts our community first in the training of America’s next tradesmen and women.”
Vick also thanked Shane Menn, owner of Inline Fence and Fabrication, for his support in materials needed to make this project possible.
“Hometown companies like Inline that invest in our kids and community are what makes Boerne the best community in the state,” Vick added.
City officials said the fish habitats are among the many additions and improvements that Boerne residents and Cibolo Creek visitors won’t get to see once the water is back behind the Mill Dam, “but it highlights our continued dedication to environmental responsibility,” Chris Shadrock, Boerne director of communications, added.
Comment
Comments