summer 2016 - Tennessee Aquarium

T E N N E S S E E
A Q U A R I U M
RIVERWATCH
L E A D I N G
T H E
W A Y
I N
F R E S H W A T E R
C O N S E R V A T I O N
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS OF THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM • SUM MER 2016
DELIVERING
EXPERT CARE
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENES 2
GROWING A LIVING CITY
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ARAPAIMA ADVENTURES
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SUMMER EVENTS
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IMAX: A BEAUTIFUL PLANET 3D
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MEET THE NEW CEO
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B E H AV I O R A L H U S B A N D R Y
EXPERT ANIMAL CARE
THE ART OF OUR EXHIBITS IS GROUNDED
IN SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENES
BY SARA CARLSON, MANAGER OF BEHAVIORAL HUSBANDRY AND ANIMAL ENCOUNTER PROGRAMS • COVER PHOTO BY JOHN BAMBER
Specialized training helps us care for a variety of animals in our living
collection. You might be surprised to learn that we train otters, birds,
alligators — even fish and our big sharks!
trainers are relaxed and the animals
look forward to interacting with us.
A POSITIVE PHILOSOPHY
We ensure routine veterinary care is as
stress-free as possible for our animals by
emphasizing positive reinforcement
through all of our training processes.
As a member, you get to see our training in action through daily programs
that demonstrate how animals show us
certain behaviors. You’ve probably
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD STAILEY
We start by building a relationship of
trust with our animals, similar to what
you might do for a new dog or cat at
home. We begin by feeding them and
spending positive quality time together.
Whenever there’s mutual trust, the
Positive reinforcement training
can be used with any species.
Aquarium experts use these
techniques with birds,
mammals, fish and reptiles.
Try this with your pets at
home and, yes, even children
and spouses! At left: Dave
Cheris feeds turtles in the
Delta Swamp.
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noticed that we always say “thank you”
by giving animals special treats when
they do useful things that help us with
their regular checkups.
Positive reinforcement training is
skilled, careful work for our trainers.
But for the animals, it’s a lot like
playing a game. There’s a fine
art to keeping it fun and lively.
HITTING THE MARK
We use a process called target training
to help care for many of our animals.
The goal is to teach the animal to
recognize an object, or target, and to
associate touching it with receiving a
reward. We start by introducing an
object for an animal to “target to.” This
could be our hand, a ball, stick or a
Frisbee. Literally any object could be
used. Once the animal has learned that
a reward comes each time the target is
touched, we can use that target to ask
them to do lots of other things.
We place a target over a scale to
get a North American River Otter to
volunteer for a weigh in. Another target
in a transport carrier encourages our
Woodchuck to comfortably enter
and exit the carrier before and after
programs. We can use targets to ask
creatures to move from one spot to
another, or to move their body in a way
that lets us look more closely at bellies,
beaks and the bottoms of feet to make
sure they look healthy.
For some animals, target training is
an enrichment activity done just for fun
and mental stimulation. For others, it
is necessary that they can willingly help
us to provide them with the best care.
Our aquarists have trained Sandbar
Sharks to swim through a rectangular
hoop, which makes it easier to “call”
the sharks into a smaller pool atop the
Secret Reef exhibit if there’s ever a need
to examine those animals more closely.
For some animals, feeling
safe and comfortable when
meeting our guests is a great
accomplishment, while others
may learn complex behaviors
that help us care for them.
Above: Sara Carlson with
a Barred Owl. Below:
Amanda Reeves with a North
American River Otter.
DINNER BELLS AND BALLS
Positive reinforcement training also
helps ensure our animals receive the
proper amount of food each day.
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KAREN ESTES
During feeding programs, members will
see our American Alligators responding
to a cowbell. The gators have been
trained to patiently wait their turn to
be fed, preventing a feeding frenzy that
could otherwise lead to the alligators
injuring each other. All of our big
sharks have also been target trained to
respond to a colored ball that signals
feeding time in the Secret Reef.
TRAINING OUR TRAINERS
Building a positive relationship with
our animals requires our trainers to
learn from their cues, too. We observe
each animal’s natural behavior to figure
out what rewards make them excited
to play.
Claire, one of our Gentoo Penguins,
is far more excited about having her
beak rubbed than she is about getting
fish. So when we spend time working
with her, we know rubbing her beak is
the best way for us to say, “Thanks for
playing with us, Claire! You did a
great job!”
So what happens if we try to train
an animal and they don’t feel up to it,
or they get the rules mixed up and don’t
show the behaviors we’re looking for?
We keep things positive! We either wait
patiently until they do feel like playing,
or take a break and try again.
Now that you know a little bit
about target training and positive
reinforcement, I hope you’ll ask us
some great questions about working
with, and caring for, these wonderful
animals. You can download the free
Tennessee Aquarium app to see our
daily program schedule and then
you can be part of our training
process, too. 
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD STAILEY
Spending quiet time with the
animals behind the scenes and
feeding them is a great way to
build a relationship of trust.
Pictured from the top left: Amanda
Pippin with a Virginia Opossum;
Holly Lutz with a Macaroni
Penguin chick; Susie Grant with
a Woodchuck; and Loribeth Lee
with a Laughing Kookaburra.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Meet the Trainer Member
program on Saturday, August
27th from 2–3PM. Details are
on page 9.
OCEAN JOURNEY
GROWING A LIVING CITY
BY THOM DEMAS, CURATOR OF FISHES AND BRAD THOMPSON, AQUARIST
Coral reefs are like bustling cities scattered around
the world’s oceans. Vibrant and colorful, these special
locations support a stunning diversity of life.
According to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, NOAA,
coral reefs support more species per
unit area than any other marine
environment, including 4,000 species
of fish, 800 species of coral and
hundreds of other species.
When we opened our live coral
reef exhibit in 2009, we were excited
about starting from scratch. We began
showcasing some corals that had been
donated from individuals, other
AZA-accredited facilities and a few that
were purchased from coral propagators.
Our reef tank prospered, growing to
become a true living wall of coral filled
with all sorts of cool reef critters like
sponges, mushrooms and zooanthids,
sometimes called false coral or colonial
anemones. Our reef also featured a
myriad of crustaceans that have
populated this underwater city.
Corals can actually stake claims on
territory, taking larger areas while others
have been pushed around a bit by the
more powerful species. Aquarists
worked hard to keep enough real estate
open for even the most delicate of
the corals while allowing everything
to flourish.
The fish population living amongst
the corals allows guests to see the great
diversity there is in the Indo-Pacific
regions. This has been a very popular
exhibit especially for members who
have come often and watched our reef
undergo a metamorphosis from
bare-bones to thriving metropolis.
About two years ago we began to
notice a haze appearing on the window.
Our staff worked hard to get the
window clean using every tool
imaginable. But the “cloudiness” was
“in” the glass. Saltwater found a way to
get between the layers of special glass
in the exhibit which caused this
undesirable effect. So we replaced the
650-pound window which required
draining the tank and disassembling
the reef.
This project provides members a
unique opportunity to see a coral city
rise from infancy to a thriving, mature
reef. While it’s true that coral grows
slowly, it’s a misconception that it is
incredibly slow. Given the right
conditions, corals will flourish.
We invite you to come and take
weekly pictures of our reef. Just like
researchers who study the health of
reefs around the world, you’ll be able to
record notes about your observations
and compare your baseline photos
taken now with the dramatic changes
that will occur over time. 
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AQ U A R I U M B I O LO G I S T S I N T H E F I E L D
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
ADVENTURES
WITH ARAPAIMA
BY AQUARISTS TASHA SKILLMAN AND NIKKI EISENMENGER
They silently patrol the waters of River Giants looking like prehistoric
predators. Their large, colorful scales cover muscular bodies that have the
strength to burst out of the water to heights of six feet or more. They are
Arapaima, a species the Aquarium has exhibited since opening in 1992.
These massive fish are often cited as
being one of the largest freshwater fish
in the world, reaching nearly 14 feet
in length and weighing as much as
450 pounds.
Although Arapaima are powerful
fish, they are listed as endangered
throughout their native range in the
Amazon River basin in South America.
In fact, researchers report that three of
the five species of Arapaima have not
been seen in the Amazon for decades.
For the past year and a half we have
been working to stretcher train our
Arapaima. We saw a need for an easy
way to access and handle the fish for
their safety and ours. Working closely
with these animals has ignited our
passion and curiosity about this species.
The Aquarium began accepting
applications last May for the annual
professional development award
generously funded by the late Arthur
MacFadden, a longtime volunteer and
conservation society member. The
award funds professional development,
research, or work projects that positively
impact the Aquarium.
We decided to dream big and
apply to go to Guyana to work with
the Arapaima in the wild knowing
we would learn things that we could
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apply to training and caring for the
Aquarium’s Arapaima. We received the
award and immediately started planning
for our departure in late November.
We had no idea how difficult it
would be to reach the interior of
Guyana, but three full days of travel
challenges were worth it. Once there
we worked with Dr. Lesley de Souza
and the Rewa Village, both pioneers in
Arapaima research and conservation.
Our goal was to learn as much as possible, handle as many arapaima as we
could, and get out of our comfort zone
and experience Guyana to its fullest.
Within a few days we were thrown
into the thick of it.
We waded into the murky waters to
help pull a net that was 250 feet in
length while Arapaima were jumping
everywhere. Frenzied directions were
being shouted over the splashing as we
moved quickly to get the mighty fish
out of the nets before they drown.
Arapaima are obligate air breathers,
meaning they have to surface to
breath air.
Once we had a fish secured, we’d
measure its size, draw a blood sample,
check the animal for parasites and
abnormalities, and then tag and release
it as fast as we could. At times we had
to do all of that with three Arapaima in
the same net.
We traveled to four different sites on
the Rewa River repeating this process
several times daily. We had hoped to
learn many things about arapaima while
we were there, and we did, but one of
the most interesting things we learned
was that Arapaima build giant nests.
They sculpt huge round depressions in
the muddy river bottoms that are sometimes exposed during the dry season.
Our Arapaima adventure stoked
our passion for these amazing fish and
caring for them at the Aquarium. It was
inspiring to see how others are working
to ensure their survival in the wild. 
Aquarists Tasha Skillman and
Nikki Eisenmenger traveled
more than 75 miles along
the Rewa River while in
Guyana (indicated by the
red rectangle on the map).
Arapaima fishing was once
an important source of food
and income for local communities. Now these ancient
fish are protected as part of
expanded ecotourism.
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SUMMER EVENTS
Register online & discover newly-added events at:
TNAQUA.ORG/EVENTS
OR CALL 423-267-FISH (3474)
JOHN BAMBER
ALL EVENTS ARE HELD ON EASTERN TIME. There’s plenty of fun
every day at the Tennessee Aquarium. Before your next visit,
check the list of FREE PROGRAMS (with your membership or paid
admission) to make the most of your day of aquatic adventure:
tnaqua.org/animals-exhibits/extraordinary-experiences.
JUNE
MEMBERSHIP
INFORMATION
NEW MEMBER CARDS
Skip the lines and scan directly in at
any gate with your new membership
card. Present your card at the IMAX®
3D Theater, Aquarium gift shops,
concessions and at regional attractions
for exclusive member discounts!
Check in at the Member’s Entrance or
visit: tnaqua.org/members for more
information.
DO WE HAVE YOUR
CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESS?
If you would like to stay on top of
the latest Aquarium news, get
notifications of new events and electronic renewal reminders, visit us at
community.tnaqua.org to create
your online profile. After signing up,
you’ll be able to update your address,
access your giving history, review
your membership’s expiration date
or sign up for e-newsletters.
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Pollinator Rally
Saturday • 9:30AM-12:30PM
Enjoy a day of presentations, exhibits and
demonstrations on native pollinators. Learn
how to plant a pollinator garden and how
to attract pollinators that can help your
garden grow. This is free event with a
complimentary milkweed plant—nature’s
butterfly magnet! Registration is not
required. For more information, visit the
Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones
online at tennesseevalley.wildones.org.
All ages • Free
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Happy Father’s Day Cruise
Sunday • 4:30-6:30PM
Celebrate with your father or grandfather
aboard the River Gorge Explorer. Enjoy the
live music of Bluegrass picker Matt Downer
as you cruise down the river, and take in
nature outside on the top deck. Catered
food provided by HoneyBaked Ham. Cash
bar with wine, beer, soft drinks and water
available during the cruise. Coupons and
other discounts are not valid for this cruise.
Presented by Tennessee American Water.
All ages • Members: $38/Adult;
$30/Child (age 0-12)
FOLLOW US ON
FACEBOOK & TWITTER
Keep up with our daily postings — you
can even join in the conversations!
Official sponsor of the
Tennessee Aquarium
Membership Program.
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Enjoy a meal at Big River Grille or BlueWater Grille before or after
your Aquarium event. Present your Tennessee Aquarium membership
card when you order to receive a discount.
Family Bike Adventure
at Lula Lake
Sunday • 2-5:30PM
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Load up your family, bikes (and safety gear!)
and head out to Lula Lake Land Trust for a
fun, one-mile bike ride. Become better
acquainted with native plants and search
for signs of the many critters that call this
area home. On the return trip, everyone
will have a chance to get their feet wet in
Rock Creek and investigate the health of
the stream.
All ages • $4/Member family
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Nature Nuts: Creek Stomp
Thursday • 5-7PM
Join us, along with Dr. Bernie Kuhajda of
the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation
Institute, for our annual Creek Stomp. We’ll
wade right in and use a variety of nets and
other collecting techniques, including the
Fish Dance, to meet and learn about our
aquatic neighbors in Wolftever Creek in
Collegedale. Your child will be introduced
to aquatic insects and amphibians that’ll
make for a splashin’, cool time!
Ages 5-12 • $12 Member
Canoeing Adventure:
South Chick Creek
Saturday • 8am-Noon
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Join us for a canoeing adventure with
Outdoor Chattanooga. After receiving
beginner-friendly instruction, Dr. Bernie
Kuhajda of TNACI will lead you on South
Chickamauga Creek. Discover more about
the aquatic life on the creek and TNACI’s
conservation efforts. Equipment and instruction are included.
Adults & ages 14+ with adult supervision
$35/Members
JULY
3
Independence Cruise
Sunday • 6-8PM
Celebrate our country’s independence
aboard the River Gorge Explorer in the
“Grand Canyon of Tennessee.” An Aquarium
Naturalist will talk about the All-American
animals found on the river. Deep in the river
gorge, step outside onto viewing decks and
into the scenic panorama as the sun begins
its descent. Cash bar with wine, beer, soft
drinks and snacks available during cruise.
All ages • Members: $24/Adult;
$18/Child (age 0-12)
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¡Fiesta Cubana! at 212 Market
Thursday • 6:30-8:30PM
Allow 212 Market to bring a Cuban fiesta of
flavors to your taste buds. This delectable
dinner begins with Camarones en Aguacate,
a sustainable dish of sautéed shrimp with
lemon garlic sauce, and Avocado Salad. For
the main course, enjoy Cuban Roast Pork
with Black Beans and Rice Maduros. Treat
yourself with a Cuban-style Flan for dessert.
This dinner includes three courses, one complimentary glass of wine and gratuity.
Adults • $50/Member
Kayaking Adventure:
Sunrise Tour of Downtown
Saturday • 6:30-9AM
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Join us for a kayak adventure with Outdoor
Chattanooga. After receiving beginnerfriendly instruction, you’ll experience the
magic of downtown Chattanooga at sunrise. This tour will take you on a leisurely
paddle around landmarks such as Audubon
Island Wildlife Refuge, Bluff View Art
District, Ross’s Landing and downtown’s
historic bridges. Equipment, instruction and
a guide are included.
Adults & ages 14+ with adult supervision
$40/Members
DIY Workshop: Succulent
Containers
Saturday • 11AM-12:30PM
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Discover the architectural beauty of succulent containers in pleasing shades of green.
Talented designers at The Barn Nursery will
teach you about durable, drought-tolerant
succulents and how to craft your own container. This workshop includes instruction,
clay pot and plants. Additional items available for purchase in the Garden Gift Shop.
Adults & ages 12+ with adult supervision
$35/Members
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Nature Nuts: Butterflies
Thursday • 5-7PM
Engage in citizen science by helping to
catalog butterflies here in southeastern
Tennessee. Our own Bill Haley will lead us
on a NABA (North American Butterfly
Association) butterfly count for Lookout
Mountain. The count area includes flower
fields and woods. Field guides and binoculars will be provided during program.
Ages 5-12 • $12/Member
AUGUST
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SharkFest!
Friday • 6-8:30PM
Gather your chums for an evening of
shark-tacular fun! Dare to enter our diver’s
shark cage. Get a shark tattoo. Transform
yourself with special shark hairdos. But
wait, that’s not all! Dr. Bernie’s Travelin’
Shark Show is back in town with bizarre
museum specimens for all to marvel. Feast
on shark facts during dive shows and a
special feeding. Enjoy a special treat at the
end of your adventure with awesome
shark-tivities for all.
All ages • FREE/Members
Wildlife Cruise:
Hooray for Ospreys
Sunday • 6-9PM
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Join us aboard the River Gorge Explorer for
a 3-hour Osprey sighting trip. As you cruise
into the heart of the Tennessee River
Gorge, gain special insights into the history
of this gorgeous bird of prey. View the
extraordinary Tennessee Wall during this
sunset trip. Cash bar with wine, beer, soft
drinks, and snacks available during the
cruise. Presented by First Tennessee.
All ages • Members: $30/Adult;
$20/Child (age 0-12)
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SLEEP IN THE DEEP:
Family Sleepover
Friday, 5:30PM Saturday, 8:30AM
Ever wonder what it would be like to sleep
under the peaks alongside sharks, stingrays
and more? Join us for an overnight adventure complete with a guided tour of both
Aquarium buildings, an IMAX® film and
pizza dinner. Go behind-the-scenes with an
Aquarium expert. Just when your eyes can’t
stay open any longer, we’ll bed down
alongside our largest exhibit.
Families with children ages 6 and older
accompanied by an adult • $65/Member
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Rain Barrel Workshop
Saturday • 10AM-NOON
Rainfall runoff from our lawns, driveways,
roads and parking lots into the nearest
storm drain or stream is the number one
cause of pollution in our streams. Rain
barrels help reduce storm water runoff. This
workshop will allow you to convert an
empty Coca-Cola syrup drum into a working rain barrel with experts from Ace
Hardware. Go green and collect water
from gutters for outside use, especially during periods of drought! Presented by Ace
Hardware and Coca-Cola.
Adults • $25/Members
Aquarium Adventures: The
Quest for Colors
Thursday • 9:30-10:30AM
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Life is full of adventures, and many of them
can be found right here in the Aquarium!
This program will take preschool tykes on a
quest throughout Ocean Journey before
hours. Discover all the eye-catching colors
in our many exhibits and learn about
aquatic life while doing so. While this
adventure is intended for explorers ages
2-4, parents and siblings are welcome to
join the expedition.
Ages 2-4 • Free/Members
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Nature Nuts: Treasure Hunt
Thursday • 5-7PM
Beat the heat with a nature-based treasure
hunt in the shade of Enterprise South
Nature Park’s hiking trails. Each family will
receive a map and a clue that will lead to
another clue that will lead to another...you
get the picture! Nature’s treasure awaits
those who can unravel the mysteries.
Ages 5-12 • $12/Member
Meet the Trainer
27 Saturday • 2-3
PM
Here’s your chance to meet the Aquarium’s
animal training team and get insider knowledge. We train otters, birds, alligators, turtles and even fish! It’s skilled, careful work
for our trainers. However, for the animals
each training session is a chance to learn,
play and enjoy treats. Learn about positive
reinforcement training and how Aquarium
experts use it to help animals be willing,
comfortable participants in their own care.
Free/Member
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T N AC I — C O N S E R VAT I O N I N AC T I O N
TRAINING WATERSHED
STEWARDS
BY SARAH HAZZARD, TNACI GIS ANALYST • PHOTOGRAPHY BY THOM BENSON
While growing up in northern Georgia my favorite thing to do was moving
rocks around and looking at different critters in the stream. It wasn’t until I
took a Georgia Adopt-A-Stream class in college as part of my Environmental
Education course that I got to relive that excitement as an adult.
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, which is
Georgia’s volunteer water quality
monitoring program, teaches citizens
how to track the health of a stream in
their own backyard.
Not only does monitoring each
individual stream or creek teach us more
about the health of our local water, but
it also helps give us a picture of the
health of the entire watershed.
Scientifically, a watershed is an area of
land where all water that falls drains to a
common outlet. But it’s easier for me to
think of a watershed like a bathtub. The
highest elevations are like the edge of the
bathtub, and all the water in the bathtub
runs to the drain. In nature, this drain
would be a larger river or the ocean. The
health of one stream can affect other
streams within a watershed, either
upstream or downstream. And with 3.5
million miles of streams and rivers in the
United States, it would be impossible for
a single government agency or nonprofit
group to monitor all of them. Therefore,
this program allows citizens to collect
data that can be shared across the many
different groups and agencies that are
working to protect fresh water in the
Southeast.
One skill that we teach in Georgia
Adopt-A-Stream is how to monitor
water chemistry. The chemistry of a
stream can greatly impact the animals
that live there. Most aquatic animals
“breathe” by absorbing oxygen dissolved
in the water. A higher level of dissolved
oxygen can support more organisms,
especially sensitive species, than a stream
with lower levels. Levels of dissolved
oxygen are affected by several conditions.
Cool streams have higher levels of
dissolved oxygen compared to warmer
streams—so having a well-shaded stream
typically means more aquatic animals.
You can help protect these animals by
planting trees or large bushes in any
parts of your yard where water flows
after a rainstorm.
The most common type of pollution
in our streams is in the form of runoff
from the land. As water flows across the
land’s surface when it rains, it picks up
anything it encounters, which often
includes fertilizers with excessive
nutrients. Algae, which are essentially
aquatic plants, thrive with this increase
in nutrients and can grow out of control.
But because these algal blooms can die
off quickly, they use up all the dissolved
oxygen in the stream as they decay,
leaving none for other aquatic life.
So another way you can help stream
animals is to reduce the amount of
Watch Dr. Anna George’s inspirational TEDxChattanooga talk: http://bit.ly/tnaqtedxcha16
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fertilizer you apply to your yard or to
grow native plants that don’t require
fertilizer.
Another aspect of Georgia Adopt-AStream is macroinvertebrate monitoring.
Macroinvertebrates are aquatic insects
that are large enough that you can see
them without the aid of a microscope.
They are an important food source for
many larger aquatic species, such as
fishes and salamanders.
Macroinvertebrates are also good
measures of land and water health
because many insects, like dragonflies,
have an aquatic stage at the beginning of
their life cycle. Most macroinvertebrates
get their oxygen directly from the water.
So while water chemistry is a snapshot
of stream health at the time the water
sample was taken, the presence of some
macroinvertebrates is more like a short
film of stream health. They may be
affected by events like storms with
rapidly rising water, droughts, and
periodic pollution.
Leading Georgia Adopt-A-Stream
workshops is just one of the education
programs that TNACI currently offers.
When we open our new riverfront
facility in Fall 2016 we will be able to
expand our educational programs on
watersheds, rivers, and streams so even
more members of our community
will learn how to help us protect
southeastern rivers. 
In addition to helping students earn Georgia Adopt-A-Stream
program certifications, Sarah Hazzard helped members of Lafayette
High School’s Future Farmers of America chapter earn perfect
scores in a statewide environment and natural resources contest.
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FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR DAILY UPDATES AND BREAKING NEWS!
OCEAN JOURNEY
CONSTRUCTION
Our members have eagle eyes, so you might have
noticed some construction occurring on the north
end of the Ocean Journey building. A new animal
care backup space is being created for some
newcomers.
This fall a group of Lemurs will be arriving for
an exciting new exhibit that will open next
year. The animals will be arriving from other AZAaccredited facilities and spend time acclimating to
their new home and getting to know our animal
experts. They’ll be ready to meet everyone in the
spring of 2017 just before the Aquarium’s 25th
Anniversary. So make sure you renew your
membership to be among the first to see these
furry and fascinating creatures. 
YOUTH VOLUNTEER
RECOGNIZED
Erin Grace Walden, a senior at
Heritage High School in Ringgold,
GA, was recently recognized as one
of Georgia’s top Youth Volunteers by
The Prudential Spirit of Community
Awards. This nationwide program
honors young people for outstanding
acts of
volunteerism. Erin is one of the
Aquarium’s Youth Volunteers and also volunteers at the
Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga. She was
one of only nine students in Georgia to be recognized for
their impressive community service. “Prudential commends
each of these young volunteers for using their creativity
and compassion to bring about positive change to their
communities,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO John
Strangfeld. “We hope their stories inspire others to consider
how they can make a difference, too.”
If you know of a young person who’s looking to
make a difference as a Youth Volunteer, go online at:
tnaqua.org/volunteer-opportunities or contact Chris
Bowman, the Aquarium’s manager of volunteer services,
at 423-785-3057. 
TODD STAILEY
IMAX® GIFT SHOP FUN
BE A DIVER FOR A DAY
Our IMAX® gift shop contains lots of fun items to help you
remember featured movies shown in IMAX® with Laser.
Snuggle up to your own plush wolf after seeing National
Parks Adventure 3D. Our selection of space items will
please those who dream of becoming an astronaut after
seeing A Beautiful Planet 3D. Visit store.shopaquarium.org
and use the promo code AMERICA to receive your
member’s only 10% discount. 
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a diver
at the Tennessee Aquarium, you can take the plunge June
4-5 at the Chattanooga Market. Mark Craven, the Aquarium’s dive safety officer, has been working with the Diving
Equipment and Marketing Association, DEMA, to bring a 15,000 gallon mobile pool to town. The “Be A Diver Pool” travels
the U.S. to give the public the chance to try SCUBA diving in a safe environment—free of charge.
This will be a great opportunity for Aquarium members, ages 10+ (ages 10-12 must be accompanied by an adult in the
water), to experience what it’s like to gear up and get wet just like the nearly 180 volunteer SCUBA divers at the Tennessee
Aquarium. “We have an amazing group of volunteers, but we could always use more since we
dive 363 days each year,” said Craven. “Hopefully bringing the DEMA Be a Diver Pool in town
will raise awareness of our large, dedicated group of divers and encourage others to become
SCUBA certified so they can become volunteer divers, too.”
There is no waiting list to become a volunteer diver. Anyone who meets
the requirements can join the next class when recruiting begins again in
January. tnaqua.org/volunteer-opportunities/volunteer-diver. 
12
RIVERWATCH
TODD STAILEY
RIVERCURRENTS
BRAIN CORAL
MAZE
The surface of brain coral looks like a maze.
Enter this maze at the green arrow. Stay
between the ridges and find your way to
the red arrow to exit.
AND YOU!
CATION DEPARTMENT —
TENNESSEE AQUARIUM EDU
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There are over 2500 species of corals on Earth. Find these
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POLYP
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SOFT
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STONY
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Y
What part of the ocean sings in harmony?
The Choral Reef!
ANSWER KEY:
SILLY ANIMAL JOKES
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RIVERWATCH
13
IM A X® WITH L ASER
NASA astronaut Captain Scott Kelly is a
household name today after spending
nearly one year aboard the International
Space Station (ISS).
Millions of people followed his comments and exquisite views of
Earth on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as he circled the Earth at
more than 17,000 miles per hour.
Kelly spent 340 consecutive days in space, a U.S. record, and has
logged more than 520 days in space during his career. But he’s not
the only record-breaking person in space.
Cosmonaut commander Gennady Padalka broke a 10-year-old
record for the number of cumulative days in space on June 28, 2015,
when he reached 804 days in space aboard the ISS.
You’ll have a chance to experience what it’s like to live aboard the
ISS with Kelly, Padalka and others while viewing a new IMAX® film,
A Beautiful Planet 3D. Breathtaking images of Earth, like the ones
Kelly shared on social media, fill the giant screen and provide a
unique portrait of our planet and galaxy.
The ISS has a module, or room, called the cupola. The cupola is
a dome-shaped room with seven windows and it is where astronauts
control the Space Station’s robotic arm, communicate with other
crew members, and observe spacewalks. It’s also a favorite hangout
for astronauts like Kelly who use this location to take hundreds of
photos of the Earth each day.
Kelly and four other astronauts were specially trained to use an
IMAX® camera in space. From this floating platform our magnificent
blue planet is seen in a way that few humans have directly observed.
And, day or night, they capture the grandeur of our home and the
effects humanity has had on it over time. “The crew has done an
absolutely wonderful job,” said the film’s director Toni Meyers.
“We were deluged with beautiful images.”
The views are powerful, especially when seen in the Aquarium’s
new IMAX® with Laser projection system. And for Kelly, the scenery
was life-changing. “The Earth’s atmosphere looks very, very fragile,”
Kelly told CNN from aboard the ISS before leaving for home on
terra firma. “It looks like something that we definitely need to
take care of.” 
14
RIVERWATCH
A BEAUTIFUL PLANET 3D
IS PRESENTED LOCALLY BY
A NOTE FROM THE DESK OF
KEITH SANFORD • TENNESSEE AQUARIUM PRESIDENT AND CEO
As I assume the role as your fourth
president and CEO, I have been truly
amazed by the Aquarium’s dedicated
staff, their determination to make each
visitor’s experience wonderful, and the
high level of care for all of our animals.
I am grateful for the warm welcome
our entire Aquarium family has given
me, from volunteers to major donors to
some of our youngest members and
school groups. It is truly an honor to
follow in Charlie Arant’s footsteps and I
could not be more excited to continue
the Tennessee Aquarium’s traditions of
excellence and commitment to our
community.
It is so inspiring to see the moments
of learning that happen all across our
Aquarium campus. An incredible
amount of professionalism, planning
and teamwork come together to ensure
first-class exhibits and interactive
programs are part of the guest
experience each day.
I look forward to building on this
firm foundation as we work on strategic
planning for the Aquarium’s future.
Through continued support from our
community, we will endeavor to grow
our success in three core areas:
We are a strong organization that is vital to
this community, and our impact continues to
expand. I am excited to continue the great
work of this amazing place, and I thank you
for the support that makes all of it possible.
• Expanding the regional impact of the
Tennessee Aquarium Conservation
Institute as their vital research and
restoration work moves to the new
riverfront facility this fall.
• Developing a comprehensive exhibit
master plan to guarantee a worldclass experience for every member
and guest who explores our
underwater world.
• Building the impact of our education
programs as we better link our
Aquarium exhibits to the advancements we make in freshwater
conservation science.
a huge endowment, and that we are
sustained by state and local funding,
as we raise awareness of our nonprofit
being one worthy of support. My
primary focus will be to ensure that a
firm financial base provides for our
Aquarium’s growing impact.
Thank you for playing such an
important role in all that we do. Your
support, your role as an ambassador
and your advocacy for our nonprofit
mission, will help us achieve our
greatest impact. I hope I’ll get to see
you at the Aquarium soon and you’ll
tell me your hopes for the future
we’ll build together. 
To continue to achieve the kind of
success that will make a meaningful
difference to our region, we will need
to focus on increasing community
support. We have to overcome the
misperceptions that the Aquarium has
RIVERWATCH
15
TENNESSEE AQUARIUM
RIVERWATCH
One Broad Street • P.O. Box 11048 • Chattanooga, TN 37401-2048 • tnaqua.org
Non-Profit
Organization
US POSTAGE
PAID
Chattanooga, TN
PERMIT #989
The Tennessee Aquarium is a non-profit organization
with a mission to inspire wonder, appreciation and
protection of water and all life that it sustains.
Your dollars support our many education, conservation
and research programs. Follow us on Facebook & Twitter
and partner with us to continue our mission.
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
TIME-SENSITIVE MATERIAL
community.tnaqua.org/donate
OPEN DAILY 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day.
RIVERWATCH EDITOR
Thom Benson
riverwatcheditor@tnaqua.org
EVENTS EDITOR
Matthew Hubbard
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Karen Estes
PHOTOGRAPHER
Todd Stailey
Riverwatch is published quarterly by the Tennessee
Aquarium. Written material may not be reproduced
without proper credit. The logo, the name Tennessee
Aquarium and Riverwatch are registered trademarks
of the Tennessee Aquarium. IMAX® & IMAX®3D
are registered trademarks of Imax Corporation,
Mississauga, Canada.
QUESTIONS ABOUT MEMBERSHIP?
Visit us online at tnaqua.org/Members
423-267-FISH (3474) • join-us@tnaqua.org
Official Sponsor of the
Tennessee Aquarium
Membership Program
Join us on Thursday, Sept. 15th for the
6th Annual Serve & Protect celebration
Join us for one of Chattanooga’s favorite events, where wit and wisdom
combine with cooking for a cause to support the Aquarium’s mission-critical
work. Look for an announcement of our celebrity chef and registration
details in the Fall issue of Riverwatch.
SERVE & PROTECT
IS PRESENTED BY