The Anniversary Aquatic

One year ago, the Tennessee Aquarium found a new avenue to help people feel more connected to nature with the launch of its official podcast: The Podcast Aquatic.

Today, the Aquarium celebrates the milestone of the show’s first anniversary by announcing a new partnership with The Tennessee Conservationist, the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks.

“Sponsoring The Podcast Aquatic is an excellent way to deepen our relationship, and to help tell conservation stories that matter,” says Heather Lose, the magazine’s editor-in-chief. “Compelling storytelling changes hearts and minds. Our organizations’ mutual understanding of how storytelling impacts conservation work makes this sponsorship a natural fit.”

The Podcast Aquatic was conceived as another way for the Aquarium to engage with the public, further its mission, and expand its impact. The show’s coverage extends to all aspects of the Aquarium’s operation, from caring for its living collection of more than 13,000 animals to its expansive efforts to study and safeguard the unparalleled aquatic biodiversity in the Southeast.

The Aquarium and The Tennessee Conservationist have been frequent collaborators for years, with articles often highlighting the work of the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute. Having the magazine’s support for the podcast is a natural extension of that partnership, says Casey Phillips, the Aquarium’s senior communications specialist and host of The Podcast Aquatic.

“I couldn’t be happier that we’re partnering with an organization that so closely aligns with the mission of the Aquarium,” he says. “The Tennessee Conservationist shares our commitment to making people aware of the incredible natural heritage we possess in the Southeast, especially in Tennessee.

“It’s a collaboration that just makes so much sense.”

The Podcast Aquatic was planned to encompass a six-episode initial season totaling about three hours — long enough to listen while driving to Chattanooga from large nearby cities, such as Nashville, Atlanta and Birmingham, Al.

That season never ended.

At the end of its first year, The Podcast Aquatic now spans 35 episodes totaling 1,439 minutes (one minute shy of a full day). That’s long enough to listen, non-stop, from any location east of the Mississippi River to Chattanooga or on an international road trip from as far away as Quebec City, Canada, or Monterrey, Mexico.

To date, the show has covered a wide range of topics, from the history of the Endangered Species Act and why lemurs make poor pets to the animals of ancient Appalachia and the race to save the critically endangered Laurel Dace.

Whether people are exploring the River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings in downtown Chattanooga or listening to The Podcast Aquatic while driving or jogging, the Aquarium strives to stoke a curiosity and appreciation for nature in the public.

Visitors to Chattanooga — North America’s first National Park City — have many options to satisfy that curiosity as part of a trip to the Aquarium. With 14 of Tennessee’s 59 state parks less than a 90-minute drive from the Scenic City, guests can easily experience the Volunteer State’s natural riches for themselves.

“Our readers are passionate, dedicated folks who really care about conservation of our natural resources, and we know that people feel the same way about the Aquarium’s critical, beautiful work,” Ms. Lose says. “This partnership is a natural fit for both audiences.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with one of Tennessee’s crown jewels of conservation.”

The Podcast Aquatic is available on all major podcast platforms. Learn more about the show and its latest episode at tnaqua.org/podcast/

The Tennessee Conservationist is printed bi-monthly with stories focused on native species, history, conservation, archaeology, and Tennessee culture. Learn more and subscribe physically or digitally by visiting tnconservationist.org