The Tennessee Aquarium is holding an event to celebrate World Water Day from 6-8:30 p.m. Friday. Scientists from The Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, the Aquarium and partner agencies will greet visitors and showcase a variety of field conservation projects ranging from colorful Darters and Topminnows to river giants like Lake Sturgeon. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children.
Kids will enjoy a night of activities, animal presentations and games designed to fit the theme of World Water Day which captures the cooperative spirit of bringing scientists, governments and the community together to foster a better understanding of managing freshwater resources. Children will receive a special passport which will be stamped by biologists stationed at various exhibits within the Tennessee Aquarium’s River Journey building.
Southern Appalachian Brook Trout are one of the most beautiful and endangered fish in the Southeast. Their slender bodies feature bright gold markings above their fiery-red bellies. These striking fish are the only trout species native to this region and are prized by anglers who enjoy the challenge of locating these colorful animals, officials said.
Like the efforts to restore Lake Sturgeon and Barrens Topminnows, TNACI scientists collected adults to produce offspring in human care that will be returned later to bolster native populations.
TNACI is working closely with the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service to restore Brook Trout, the “Kings of the Mountains.”
For more information, visit www.tnaqua.org.