AP Environmental Science students released rainbow trout into Lake Castaic to combat trout depopulation Wednesday.

Science teacher Nadine Eisenkolb coordinated the field trip after students raised the fish in the classroom. This process allowed the students to observe the trout eggs hatch prior to releasing them into local water sources.

The class acquired the trout from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Classroom Aquarium Education Program, also known as Trout in the Classroom, whose goal is to combat the severe trout depopulation occurring California. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, depopulation is due to overharvesting, urban development and environmental pollution.

The students moved the trout into a cooler before the trip and prepared them for transportation with oxygen bubblers. They used plastic cups to scoop the fish out of the cooler and into the lake.

“It was a great experience, and it helped show us how environmental sustainability works in the real world,” APES student Eleanor Halloran’ 18 said.