John W. Mumma Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John W. Mumma Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility |
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| General information | |
| Address | 6655 South County Rd 106 |
| Town or city | Alamosa, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37°28′10″N 105°52′12″W / 37.4694°N 105.8700°W |
| Inaugurated | 2000 |
The John W. Mumma Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility is a special place in Alamosa County, Colorado. It's like a hospital and a school for fish and other water animals! This facility helps protect and bring back rare fish and amphibians that live in cold water. It's run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and is located near the Rio Grande river.
Contents
Building a Home for Native Fish
The John W. Mumma Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility opened its doors in the year 2000. It was built with money from groups like Great Outdoors Colorado and the Department of Natural Resources. This special facility was the first of its kind in the entire country. It was built only to help native fish and other water creatures.
Why This Facility is Important
The main goal of the staff at this facility is to protect rare water animals. They work hard to save species that are in danger of disappearing forever.
How They Help Aquatic Animals
The facility does many important things:
- Raising animals: They raise young fish and amphibians in a safe environment.
- Protecting genes: They make sure the animals have healthy genes. This helps keep the species strong.
- Doing research: Scientists here study the animals to learn how to help them best.
- Teaching people: They help people learn about these amazing animals and why they need our help.
Amazing Aquatic Species They Protect
The staff at the facility cares for 12 different kinds of fish and one amphibian. Many of these species are endangered or threatened, meaning they are at risk.
Fish and Amphibians They Care For
Here are some of the special animals they work with:
- Bonytail chub (Federal and State Endangered)
- Rio Grande sucker (State Endangered)
- Plains minnow (State Endangered)
- Suckermouth minnow (State Endangered)
- Northern redbelly dace (State Endangered)
- Southern redbelly dace (State Endangered)
- Arkansas darter (State Threatened)
- Common shiner (State Threatened)
- Rio Grande chub (Species of Special Concern)
- Roundtail chub (Species of Special Concern)
- Bluehead sucker (No official state status at this time)
- Flannelmouth sucker (No official state status at this time)
- Boreal toad (State Endangered)
How They Keep Animals Healthy
To keep these animals healthy, the staff carefully manages many things. They make sure the water is clean and just right. They also control the light and give the animals the right food. They even create the perfect conditions for the animals to lay eggs and have babies.
