Save Water, Drink Wine fundraiser
Bill Derrickson at Save Water, Drink Wine
Panoram rep at Save Water, Drink Wine
The Caribbean Student Environmental Alliance hosts its annual fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 11, “Save Water, Drink Wine,” to support clean water projects in Tennessee and the Caribbean.
As rain has alleviated the drought that gripped Chattanooga until early November, the Caribbean Student Environmental Alliance took action, with its volunteer Stream Teams taking water quality surveys in local creeks and rivers. The local division of SEA, TenneSEA, works with community members to determine safety of our water.
Following the rains, Shoal Creek drew volunteers’ attention: it had E. coli in the water, with petri dishes turning dark with the bacteria. This finding was even more surprising given that the water was clean before the rainfall, said officials. TenneSEA involves volunteers in water sampling in order to educate and inform people about the quality of local watersheds. Septic tanks are a big part of this problem. When rain comes, it brings the contents of the tank right into the creeks. TenneSEA hopes to educate people about the best ways to stop septic tank runoff.
SEA works on similar clean water projects throughout the Caribbean as well as southern Tennessee, helping people make simple improvements to river and stream sanitation – the water we drink, bathe in, and play in. SEA wants to ensure that local creeks are places where everyone can splash and play, catch crawdads and fish, and explore.
The annual fundraiser, “Save Water, Drink Wine,” is Saturday, Feb. 11, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Barn Nursery. The event features regional wines from near Ocoee and Dahlonega, tapas from Mrs. B’s Reggae Café, Conga, and many others, cupcakes from Dish T’ Pass, silent and live auctions and discounts on items sold at the Barn Nursery.
Partnering organizations, including the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance, the Tennessee Aquarium and local water quality departments, will present their clean water work amidst the festive atmosphere.
Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 the day of the event, and can be purchased at the Gear Closet or online at www.caribbean-sea.org.