News Summary
The Tennessee Aquarium is organizing a river clean-up at Renaissance Park in Chattanooga to engage local volunteers in marine conservation efforts. Scheduled for June 18, the event aims to raise awareness about the importance of healthy waterways. Participants will collect litter and debris with notable guests from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and the organization Washed Ashore, who aims to educate about marine pollution. Attendees will also have opportunities to engage with summer programs at the aquarium, highlighting ongoing conservation themes.
Chattanooga – The Tennessee Aquarium will host a significant river clean-up event at Renaissance Park in downtown Chattanooga on Wednesday, June 18, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This initiative seeks to engage local volunteers and educate participants about marine conservation and healthy waterways. The event will also feature guests from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild TV series and the nonprofit organization Washed Ashore.
Participants in the clean-up will gather by the pavilion at Renaissance Park. Notable attendees will include Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, and Brad Parks, conservation and education director of Washed Ashore. Both guests will assist volunteers in the efforts to collect litter and debris from the local waterways.
The purpose of this clean-up day extends beyond just picking up trash; it aims to raise awareness about the critical need for marine conservation. Healthy waterways are vital for the ecosystem and public health, and events like this highlight the importance of keeping them clean.
Washed Ashore, based in Oregon, is known for creating large, colorful sculptures made from plastic debris collected from beaches. The organization aims to convey important messages about marine conservation through these sculptures. One such work, “Bill the Coho Salmon,” will be on display outside the Tennessee Aquarium’s River Journey building until Sunday, July 6, serving as a reminder of the impact of ocean pollution.
While the clean-up event is not open to the public, those interested in supporting marine conservation and local waterway health can sign up with the Tennessee Water Rescue for other activities that are accessible to volunteers. It’s a great opportunity for community members to contribute positively to the local environment.
During the event, items collected will be properly disposed of and will not be used to create sculptures, as is customary with Washed Ashore’s projects. This distinction is important, as the focus is on direct environmental action and proper waste management in the Chattanooga area.
This event also coincides with the Tennessee Aquarium’s summer programs, facilitating interaction with the aquarium’s summer fellows and campers. Educational opportunities will be provided during the clean-up, linking hands-on activities with broader conservation themes.
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom is a modern incarnation of the Emmy Award-winning educational TV series that originally aired from 1963 to 1985. The series, celebrating wildlife and conservation efforts, offers a relevant backdrop for this collaborative effort to protect local ecosystems.
The Tennessee Aquarium continues to engage the community through various educational initiatives, with upcoming special events. One such initiative includes free gardening classes offered by the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County in collaboration with the University of Tennessee Extension. These programs aim to foster environmental stewardship among local residents while reinforcing the importance of sustainable practices.
In summary, the upcoming clean-up event at Renaissance Park is an important step toward improving the health of Chattanooga’s waterways, providing educational opportunities and collaborative efforts for local volunteers, while commemorating the ongoing mission of marine conservation.
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Additional Resources
- Chattanoogan: Tennessee Aquarium & National Groups
- Wikipedia: Marine Conservation
- Local 3 News: Tennessee Aquarium River Clean-Up
- Google Search: Tennessee Aquarium River Clean-Up
- Nooga Today: Volunteer Opportunities in Chattanooga
- Google Scholar: Chattanooga Waterways Conservation
- News Channel 9: Tennessee River Rescue
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Quality
- Nooga Today: Clean-Up Opportunities in Chattanooga
- Google News: Chattanooga Environment Initiatives
