summer 2011 - Tennessee Aquarium

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SUMMER 2011 • $1.50
NEW EXHIBIT!
By Thom Benson, communications manager
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NEI
The Aquarium is bringing together kids,
nature and fun in a whole new way this
summer with the opening of Ranger Rick’s
Backyard Safari. This unique experience,
located in River Journey, will lead guests
to tune into, and appreciate, nature from
their backyard to the backyards of creatures from around the world.
C
elebrating 75 years of inspiring Americans to
protect wildlife, the National Wildlife Federation
encourages families to Be Out There™ and raise
happier, healthier children with a life-long love of nature.
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R I V E R WAT C H
Through their award-winning children’s magazine, Ranger
Rick, generations of readers have followed this wise raccoon
and his friends to learn about wildlife across the world and
in their own backyards.
Now for the first time, National Wildlife Federation’s
Ranger Rick will come to life in a museum setting at the
Tennessee Aquarium. “We’re always looking for opportunities to connect people to nature,” said Kevin Coyle, Vice
President of Education for National Wildlife Federation™.
“Featuring Ranger Rick and the Be Out There (www.beoutthere.org) program with the Tennessee Aquarium’s educators and animal programs adds a fun new element to our
environmental outreach and encourages kids to learn about
wildlife in their own communities and explore the natural
world for themselves.” And if you ask Aquarium staff, this
new partnership is a perfect fit. “You don’t just automatically have a love of nature,” said senior aviculturist Amy
Graves. “For many of us that love started when we began
reading Ranger Rick. These magazines encourage natural
exploration, curiosity and a desire to watch animals. I think
this new gallery is going to be a great place to feed that
desire for more knowledge.”
Graves and experts from the Aquarium’s husbandry
and education departments have been creating a whole
menu of new programs for this safari. After marveling over
amazing aquatic creatures in the Seahorse Gallery, visitors
will traverse three zones of up-close animal encounters.
Guests will be thrilled to meet a Eurasian eagle owl and
they’ll laugh at the amusing mimicry of Happy Jack, the
Go green and get Riverwatch online! Visit www.tnaqua.org/Membership/Riverwatch.aspx
talking Amazon parrot. Both
the young and young at heart
will smile as they’re introduced
to additional birds, furry creatures and other animals with
scales and shells.
The Aquarium has enlisted the service of Natural
African Gray Parrot
Encounters Incorporated
Psittacus erithacus
(NEI), a premiere animal
Size: Grow to approximately 12-14
training and presentation
inches in height.
Range: Found in Central and West
Africa near forest edges
company, to make Ranger
and clearings of lowland rainforests,
mangroves and other
Rick’s Backyard Safari a dazwooded habitats.
Diet: Seeds, nuts, fruits, berries and
zling experience. NEI has
oil-palm nuts.
Fun Fact: African gray parrots, the cont
inent’s largest parrot,
produced animal programs
are gregarious and found in groups
of
100-200 birds that
and consulted at more than
are all considered equals. They are very
intelligent and can
mimic sounds, including human spee
80 zoos worldwide, including
ch. Both parents help
to raise the chicks until they are on their
the Columbus Zoo, National
own at about four
months of age.
Zoo and San Diego Zoo.
Conservation status: Annually, it is
estimated that at least
“We train the animals to do
one-fifth of the global population of
African gray parrots is
captured for the international pet trade
species appropriate behavior
. In 1992, the Wild
Bird Conservation Act made it illega
l to import wild caught
“KIWI”
in an insightful and personal
birds into the United States.
close-up encounter,” said
Steve Martin, NEI’s founder
and president. “This gives
Yellllow-he
Y
h aded Amazon Parrot
everyone a better underAmazona oratrix
standing about the indiSize: Grow to approximately 15 inche
s in height.
vidual animal and its wild
Range: These parrots are found only
in Central America,
counterparts. People have
including Mexico, Belize, Honduras
and Guatemala.
Diet: Fruits, nuts, berries and blossoms.
fun and begin to really care
Conservation status: Listed as enda
ngered due to habitat
about these creatures. Once
loss and collection for pet trade. Thes
e birds are rarely seen
we get them to care, they
“HAPPY JACK”
in much of their native range.
want to know how they
can help.”
Red-f
R
d fronted
Graves says this new
d macaws
exhibit will help everyone
Ara rubrogenys
develop an eye and ear for
Size: Grow to approximately 24 inche
s in height.
nature. “In one program
Range: Only found in the provinces
of Cochabamba and
Santa Cruz, in the Andean valleys of
we’ll take a look at bird
central Bolivia.
Diet: Fruits of the Cacti, native fruits
, cultivated corn and
feathers in a way that
peanuts.
most people have never
Conservation status: Listed as enda
ngered due to habitat
loss.
considered,” Graves said.
“Did you know some bird
feathers have different
colors on opposite sides?
You’ll discover why and
Ranger Rick® in Our Lives:
learn how feathers fit together and work. These are amazing
“I
remember looking forward to reading each issue of Ranger Rick
things that will leave everyone with a sense of awe.”
cover
to cover when it would come in the mail. I had a childhood
The animals will be the safari’s stars, both the Aquarfascination with snakes, so I always enjoyed the articles and
ium’s dynamic collection and new birds coming in with
pictures that featured snakes and reptiles the most.”
Martin’s staff. “You have a lot of really nice, charismatic
— Kevin Calhoon, assistant curator of forests
MEET THE NEWEST AQUARIUM ST
ARS
Discover ways to support Tennessee Valley conservation at www.tnaqua.org
R I V E R WAT C H
3
“My grandmother bought gift
subscriptions to Ranger Rick
for me and my brothers when
we were little. I remember the
neat illustrations, particularly
the ones about foot prints and
food chains.”
— Carol Haley,
assistant curator of fishes
Blue-headed macaw
Ara couloni
Size: Grow to approximately 16 inche
s in height.
Range: The blue-headed macaw occu
rs in western Peru,
eastern Brazil and north-western Boliv
ia and inhabit
particular open forest including distu
rbed forests
Diet: Local fruits, palm nut fruits, seeds,
nut and buds.
Fun Fact: In the wild these birds will
eat soil at ‘clay licks.’ It’s
believed that this behavior provides
a source of sodium
and protects the birds from toxins in
their natural diet.
Conservation status: Listed as enda
ngered.
animals at the Tennessee
Aquarium that I’m really
excited about working
with,” said Martin.
“We’re going to knock
the socks off guests with
energetic programs that
have an underlying conservation message.”
Graves says that the
most satisfying part of
her job will be hearing
stories from visitors
who start exploring on
their own after visiting
Ranger Rick’s Backyard Safari. “I hope
people leave ready
to tune into nature,”
said Graves. “That
could mean going out
at night to listen for
tree frogs and owls,
improving backyard
habitat or searching
for sea creatures on
the next trip to the
beach.” 
E rasiian Eagle Owl
Eu
Bubo bubo
Size: Grow to approximately 29 inche
s in height.
Range: Found in forest, woodland,
desert and farmland
habitats. Likes rocky outcrops and fores
ts although is found
in all types of habitats from eastern
Europe and Scandinavia
east across Russia and Japan. Also foun
d across the northern
Mediterranean region from Turkey,
northern Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India
, Tibet, China and Korea.
Diet: Mice, rats, squirrels, hedgehog
s, buzzards, pigeons,
crows and magpies.
Fun Fact: Eurasian eagle owls are one
of the largest owls in
the world with wingspans up to six
feet.
Conservation status: Listed as spec
ies of least concern.
T mpeter Hornbill
Tru
Ceratogymna bucinator
“ROSIE”
Size: Grow to approximately 24 inche
s in height.
Range: Found in humid forest, sava
nna and second growth
woodland habitats from south cent
ral/southeastern Africa.
Diet: Fruits and flying insects.
Fun Fact: The trumpeter hornbill’s
call is a loud, high nasal
braying noise that is often prolonged
and resembles the
cry of a baby. They also give a low gutte
ral croak when
feeding.
Conservation status: Listed as a spec
ies of least concern.
“My son Jake has been enjoying Ranger Rick for years. We started with Animal Baby during the toddler years
and moved up to Your Big Backyard and now to Ranger Rick. We enjoy picking through the magazine for riddles and other fun stories, then checking out the animal in the main feature. He always finds something new
inside and then off we go to the backyard or to the craft box to create/find/build whatever got him excited.
We keep most the of copies and they have come in handy to either read again or use during a school project.”
— Amy Graves, senior aviculturist
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R I V E R WAT C H
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What You Need
For Your Own
Backyard Safari
Take a moment to step outside and ponder this question, “Whose backyard is this?” If you spend enough
time looking around, you might be pleasantly surprised
by the array of creatures living at your doorstep. “Many
of us walk into our backyards and don’t realize that
hidden amongst the plants are animals such as turtles
that are going about their daily lives,” said Dave Collins,
the Aquarium’s curator of forests. “And it’s a real high
point in my day, and my kids’ days, when we’re out in the
backyard and encounter a turtle.”
Critters, like the box turtle Collins has noted in his
garden for years, don’t just stumble across our path.
Their home range and our home on the range simply
overlap. And, most of the time, these encounters are
wonderful. Collins believes once people understand
this relationship, they develop an appreciation for how
animals enrich our lives and make this planet a very
special place. “There are many simple things we can do
in our backyards to preserve green space and improve
habitat,” Collins said. “With a little landscape planning,
even on a small scale, we invite wildlife to come right
into our lives.”
Many people already welcome feathered friends by
adding feeders, bird boxes and bird baths, but have
never considered adding a water garden or woodpile. By
doing so, lizards, salamanders and frogs may suddenly
“appear,” letting you know that you’ve accomplished
more than one mission. “Reptiles and amphibians are an
integral part of an ecosystem in balance,” Collins said.
“Whether it’s a snake eating rodents, a box turtle eating
slugs or frogs and lizards eating bugs, they’re doing a
big job day in and day out without lawn chemicals that
are toxic to people and pets.”
You don’t have to add features to your lawn to
improve habitat though. Collins suggests mapping out
your yard to create creature corridors. “You want to
avoid large, unbroken expanses of lawn,” Collins
said. “Think about ways to mow wide pathways
between flower beds or gardens. These spaces
let the sun in for animals that need to thermoregulate and create more edges which are
favorable for many species.”
Collins says improving backyard habitat is
surprisingly easy and cost effective. The benefits, such as the sights and sounds of songbirds
or a chorus of frogs at night, are priceless. “And
when you see and hear these signs, you also know
your backyard is a healthy place to be.” 
By providing the necessary ingredients for healthy, sustainable wildlife habitat, you may qualify to earn the distinction of being part
of the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Certified Wildlife Habitat™ program, one more way NWF encourages you to Be Out There.
Learn how to get started at: nwf.org/certify. Visit beoutthere.org for more inspiration and tools to make the outdoors a part of daily life.
TM
Discover ways to support Tennessee Valley conservation at www.tnaqua.org
R I V E R WAT C H
5
C O N S E R VA T I O N
Flame Chubs on Fire!
By Kathlina Alford, senior aquarist
In many springheads throughout the Tennessee Valley, a
vividly colored species of short,
fat-bodied minnow frolics in the aquatic
vegetation. These flame chubs, which get
their name from the bright-red bodies of
breeding males, are among an amazing array of beautiful fish living in our backyard.
M
ale flame chubs maintain some color throughout the year, but they are most striking from
October to May when they display their fiery,
reddish-orange bellies and tails to help attract a mate.
Females can also have red coloration, but they rarely appear
as electric as their mates. At the peak of their breeding
season, which usually occurs in March, males congregate
in groups of up to 200 fish and wait for the females to
come to them. It’s truly an amazing sight to behold, but it’s
usually only witnessed by diehard fish enthusiasts who are
willing to get all geared up and take the plunge into the icy
cold waters at that time of year.
These fireballs of fish were once common in the Cum-
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R I V E R WAT C H
berland, Tennessee and Coosa River systems. Unfortunately,
this species no longer adds color to many area streams. Land
development, urbanization, dams and even pond formation
have destroyed many of the springs that were once healthy
habitat for flame chubs. The remaining populations are like
dying embers. Without habitat preservation and population
management, they may fade out altogether.
So I’m hoping to fan the flames back to life. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Science
at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. With the
guidance of Dr. Anna George, director of the Tennessee
Aquarium Conservation Institute (TNACI), we are in the
process of conducting a genetic survey of flame chub populations across their range in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. By understanding the genetic structure of a species, we
can make better decisions about how to protect them.
Government and conservation agencies often depend
on geneticists to provide necessary information to answer
questions about a population of fish. Can individuals be
moved from one area to another? Are captive breeding efforts needed to save the species? These are questions we’re
helping answer.
Flame Chub
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hip//Riverwatch.aspx
Hemitremia flammea
I have spent the last two years collecting fin clips from
individual fish in populations all across their range. Now
these fin clips are in a laboratory where the DNA magic
happens. After DNA is extracted from the fins, we use various computer programs to examine how genetic diversity is
distributed across the species. When this project is complete, we will make recommendations about future conservation efforts.
Many Tennessee Aquarium visitors are very familiar
with our successful lake sturgeon and Barrens topminnow
field conservation efforts. By working to understand the
genetics of flame chubs, we hope to have another conservation success story to tell.
We are so lucky to live in an area surrounded by such
an amazing ecosystem. It would be a shame to lose even
one species that makes this region so diverse and so beautiful. This summer I hope that you will take the time to
look below the surface and see the amazing wildlife in your
backyard. In the meantime, stop by the Aquarium and get
a closer look at flame chubs and the other colorful native
fishes in the Cove Forest, Tennessee River gallery and in
Discovery Hall. 
Thanks to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the North
American Native Fishes Association for their support of this program.
Why is one fish important?
A tiny minnow living in the backwaters of the river doesn’t
seem like a big deal to most people, but it can be very
important to an ecosystem. Loss of headwater stream
habitats and biodiversity has rippling effects downstream… all the way to you. Stream fish, such as flame
chubs, are sometimes called “indicator species.” When
they show ill effects from habitat contamination, it signals
bad news for aquatic animals and everyone downstream
of that habitat. Each species fills a niche that makes the
ecosystem work properly. When a single species is lost, we
may not know the overall impact until it is too late.
Senior Aquarist Kathlina Alford (left) and Dr. Anna George, Director of the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute. use a
seine net to survey and collect different species like the flame chub, in order to understand the genetic diversity in the population .
Discover how you can support the Aquarium’s conservation programs at tnaqua.org/contributions
R I V E R WAT C H
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RIVERCURRENTS
NEW! Chattanooga River Market
The Tennessee Aquarium Plaza is bustling with activity as the Chattanooga River Market comes to life each Saturday through September
24th. Music fills the air as more than 40 vendors offer high quality, locally produced arts, crafts and produce each week. This new
market complements the highly popular version that’s been a hit for
10 years on the city’s south side. “We have more than 500 vendors
rotating between the Chattanooga River Market on Saturdays and
the Chattanooga Market on Sundays,” said Melissa Siragusa, marketing director for the Market. “So odds are people will meet different
artists and farmers at both locations each week.”
It’s probably no surprise to fans that Frommer’s Travel Guides has
recognized the Chattanooga Market as one of the Ten Best Public
Markets in America.
Plan to get moving early, as the Chattanooga River Market will
open with fresh produce each Saturday during the growing season
at 9:00 am. Those that do will soon discover that “Local is better!”
Plant Lover’s Guide to the Aquarium
The immersive experience offered within River Journey and Ocean Journey would not be the
same without the amazing collection of plants. The exhibits give guests a more complete picture of native habitats from around the world. The new Plant Lover’s Guide to the Aquarium will
help everyone get the most out of their next Aquarium visit. From orchids to oakleaf hydrangeas, this new guide helps everyone discover the flora surrounding the fauna. From native species in the Cove Forest and on the Aquarium Plaza to the rare and exotic plant species found
in the Tropical Cove, you might be surprised by what you learn in this new publication. View it
online at: tnaqua.org/plantloversguide.
aspx or print it out to bring with you as you
explore our buildings or on your next visit to
the Chattanooga River Market.
Navy Week at the Aquarium June 11-18
Aquarium guests will have an opportunity to meet Navy divers, cruise with a Vice
Admiral and enjoy the rockin’ sounds of Navy musicians June 11th through 18th
as part of Navy Week in Chattanooga. Freedom, the high energy Navy band, will
kickoff activities on the Aquarium Plaza on Saturday, June 11th from 10:15 am to
11:15 am. Their performances feature a little something for virtually every musical
taste. Freedom will play hits from rock to jazz, blues, country and even hip-hop.
If you’ve ever seen “Men of Honor,” the silver screen classic about Navy Diver
Carl Brashear, you’ll want to meet Trident Divers from King Bay Georgia. These real
Men of Honor will greet visitors outside Penguins’ Rock June 13th through 18th
and make daily dives in the Aquarium’s Secret Reef exhibit June 14th through
17th. Learn about their duties, see some of their gear and pose for pictures during
this special opportunity.
And don’t miss the chance to join Vice Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., Commander
of the U.S. 6th Fleet, on Tuesday, June 14th for a special cruise aboard the River
Gorge Explorer. You’ll discover how today’s Navy handles global security while addressing issues such as modern day pirates, disaster response and delivering relief
supplies. Learn more in the Events section on page 14.
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R I V E R WAT C H
Attention
Parrot Heads!
A1A, the original and official Jimmy Buffett
tribute band, is coming to the Tennessee
Aquarium Plaza on Saturday, June 11th. As
part of the “Bend Unplugged” music series,
A1A will bring an energetic, family friendly
Parrot Head preview to everyone at the Chattanooga River Market from 2 - 3 pm.
A1A founder Jeff Pike has performed with
Jimmy Buffett in concert, appeared in the
Buffett music video “Fruitcakes” and was a
featured soloist on Jimmy’s “Barometer Soup
Radio Special” CD. Relax and enjoy a little
taste of the tropics before settling in for an
evening of entertainment at Riverbend.
Go green and get Riverwatch online! Visit www.tnaqua.org/Membership/Riverwatch.aspx
TENNESSEE
AQUARIUM
summer events
EVENTS
CALENDAR
Pre-registration is required for events!
Register online at www.tnaqua.org/Events.aspx
RIVERWATCH EVENTS is printed on New Leaf 100% post-consumer recycled paper.
Official sponsor of the Tennessee
Aquarium Membership Program.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Note: All events are held on Eastern Time
TRAVEL ADVENTURES
ON PAGE 15
MEMBER NIGHTS
JUNE
DATE DAY
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5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
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8
15
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16
23
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10
17
24
S
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18
25
TIME
AGES
DESCRIPTION
Thurs.
6 – 8 p.m.
Adults
Heat & Drought Tolerant Annuals
11
11
Sat.
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
A & 14+
Touring Kayak Clinic
12
14
Tues.
1-3 p.m.
All
Navy Week Cruise
14
18
Sat.
9 & 11 a.m.
Adults
Introduction to Stand Up Paddle Board
13
21
Tues.
6-9 p.m.
Adults
Picture the Aquarium
11
24
Fri.
7-10 p.m.
A & 12+
Bat Cave Kayak Trip
12
25
Sat.
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
A & 5+
Family Canoe Trip
12
Sat.-Sun.
5:30 p.m.-8:30 a.m.
A & 6+
Great American Backyard Campout
10
9
25-26
JULY
DATE DAY
PG.
S
M
T
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T
3
10
17
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
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24
31
F
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8
15
22
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S
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16
23
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TIME
AGES
DESCRIPTION
Sun.
6 - 9 p.m.
All
America’s Birthday Cruise
14
Sun.-Mon.
5:30 p.m.-8:30 a.m.
A & 6+
July 4th Sleep in the Deep
10
9
Sat.
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
A & 5+
Family Canoe Trip
12
10
Sun.
1-4 p.m.
A & 14+
Touring Kayak Clinic
12
13
Wed.
7-9 p.m.
Adults
WOW: Women on the Water
12
14
Thurs.
6:30-8 p.m.
Adults
Taste of Summer Dinner at 212 Market
14
14
Thurs.
7-10 p.m.
A & 12+
Bat Cave Kayak Trip
12
16
Sat.
9 a.m.-Noon
A & 8+
Collecting Creek Critters
11
23
Sat.
10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
A & 5+
Snorkel the Conasauga Adventure
11
3
3-4
Shark Fest at Ocean Journey
S
PG.
Friday, Aug. 5 • 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Learn fascinating facts about sharks as you
view the toothy beauties in Ocean Journey.
Compare ancient Megalodon teeth with presentday ones as Aquarium experts explain what our
sharks eat and how we keep our divers safe. Make a craft, enjoy
narrated dive shows at 6:30 & 7 p.m. and snap awesome photos
with a great white inside our diver’s shark cage. You will discover how sharks are collected using the longline method at a display by Senior Aquarist and shark collector Rob Mottice.
Check-in at the Ticketing Center on the Plaza.
All Ages • Free/Members and Non-members using Member Night Guest Passes (Limit:
one guest per pass) • Additional non-member guests: $12.50/Adult; $7.50/Child
REGISTER NOW online at www.tnaqua.org/Events.aspx
or mail form on page 16 or call 423-267-FISH (3474).
S
AUGUST
DATE DAY
7
14
21
28
M
1
8
15
22
29
T
2
9
16
23
30
W
3
10
17
24
31
T
4
11
18
25
F
5
12
19
26
S
6
13
20
27
TIME
AGES
DESCRIPTION
5
Fri.
6-8:30 p.m.
All
Shark Fest Member Night
PG.
6
Sat.
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Adults
Nickajack Lock Paddle
13
9
6
Sat.
10 a.m.-Noon
Adults
Rainbarrel Workshop
11
12
Fri.
6-9 p.m.
A & 14
Downtown Sunset Paddle
13
27
Sat.
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
A & 14+
Tennessee River Gorge Paddle
13
28
Sun.
1:30-3:30 p.m.
A & Tots
Trekking with Tykes Backyard Safari
10
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.
Renew your Membership — anytime! Visit www.tnaqua.org/Membership.aspx
R I V E R WAT C H
9
FUN FOR FAMILIES
Sleep in the Deep
Great American Backyard Campout
June 25 – June 26
5:30 p.m. Saturday – 8:30 a.m. Sunday Eastern Time
Grab your sleeping bag and celebrate the National Wildlife
Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout at the Tennessee
Aquarium! Explore Ranger Rick’s Backyard Safari with special
animal encounters and discover what it’s like to be surrounded by
toothy piranhas! Go behind the scenes and discover the backyard
habitats of wildlife around the world who call the Aquarium home,
from the Delta Swamp to the Amazon rainforest. Camp out surrounded by sharks and colorful reef fish in the Undersea Cavern.
Includes overnight, guided tours, special activities, 3D IMAX film, pizza
and continental breakfast.
Families with children ages 6 and older accompanied by an adult • $50/Member; $60/
Non-Member • Add a souvenir patch for $3.50! • Limited to 40; minimum 30
Trekking with Tykes
Backyard Safari
Sunday, Aug. 28 • 1:30 – 3:30 p.m
Be Out There! Explore the wonders of
nature with your little ones on a guided backyard safari through
the forest of the Lula Lake Land Trust on Lookout Mountain.
Stroll along a creek as you discover birds, bugs and blooms together. Wear shoes that can get wet and protect feet in the creek where
we will stop to cool off and play. Bring your own snacks and drinks
and your child’s favorite water toy. Pre-registration required.
Parents and young children • Limited to 20, minimum of 8
Free/Member; $5/Non-Member
TODD STAILEY
DISCOVER AND LEARN
Bug Club 2011
Celebrate the Fourth — Aquarium Style!
July 3 - July 4 • 5:30 p.m. Sunday - 8:30 a.m. Monday
Eastern Time
Don’t miss your chance to sleep in the deep and celebrate
America’s Birthday as you watch the “Pops on the River” fireworks
from the Aquarium patio with special 3D glasses. Your night of
adventure takes you around the world inside River and Ocean
Journey as you explore behind the scenes with our staff, get upclose critter encounters and do all the fun stuff sleepovers are
known for. At lights out, you’ll bed down in the Undersea Cavern,
while sharks and thousands of colorful fish swim over and around
you. Includes overnight, guided tours, special activities, pizza and continental breakfast.
Families with children ages 6 and older accompanied by an adult • $45/Member; $55/
Non-Member • Add a souvenir patch for $3.50! • Limited to 40; minimum 30
June – Great Bug Hunt
July – Arthropods that make us itch
Aug. – Compost arthropods
Ages 5-11 • $20 Member; $30 Non-Member per quarter
(every 3 months) plus a one-time $15
initiation fee – Call Aquarium Educator Julia Gregory at
(423) 785-4054 to register and pay. (The membership department does not take registrations for Bug Club!) Please alert us about any food allergies.
REGISTER NOW online at www.tnaqua.org/Events.aspx or mail form on page 16 or call 423-267-FISH (3474).
10
R I V E R WAT C H
Go green and get Riverwatch online! Visit www.tnaqua.org/Membership/Riverwatch.aspx
RANDY MILAM
Sleep in the Deep
Bug Club is for
kids who love learning
about fascinating
multi-legged creatures.
Clubs meet from 5-7 p.m. on the third
Thursday of each summer month and
membership includes a monthly newsletter,
T-shirt and field trips. Games, snacks and
experiments round out the fun. tnaqua.
org/Education/BugClub.aspx
WORKSHOPS
Heat & Drought Tolerant Annuals
Presented by
TODD STAILEY
Thursday, June 9 • 6 – 8 p.m.
Collecting Creek Critters Adventure
Saturday, July 16 • 9 a.m. – Noon
Discover how senior aquarist Rob Mottice collects fish for
Aquarium exhibits as we explore life in a local stream with Rob and
Aquarium educator George Bartnik. By pulling a large net along
the shallow stream bottom, we will collect and examine a variety of
aquatic insects and fish, including darters. Wear water shoes, shorts
or a bathing suit and bring a towel and change of clothes for this
wet adventure! We will provide a snack and drink.
Adding annuals to a perennial landscape can give
your garden a welcome shot of color in the heat of
summer. Join Aquarium lead horticulturist Christine
Bock at The Barn Nursery to learn which annuals will tolerate heat
and drought. Take home tips for great flower combinations with
maximum color for shade and sun. Our experts will address hard
to plant patio areas, poor soil conditions, dead-heading and more.
Receive a $10 gift card to The Barn Nursery to purchase beautiful
blooms to plant at home.
Adults • Limited to 15 • $20/Member; $25/Non-Member
Picture the Aquarium
Photography Workshop
With Tom and Pat Cory
Tuesday, June 21 • 6 – 9 p.m.
Adults and ages 8 and older • Limited to 20 • $6/Member; $12/Non-Member
Capture images of stunning
marine life, fabulous penguins,
jellyfish and tropical butterflies. Begin
with a short clinic before photographing
ng in both Aquarium
buildings with hands-on advice by professional nature photographers Tom and Pat Cory. Digital or traditional cameras or camcorders are welcome.
JIM HERRIG
Adults • Limited to 20 • $30/Member; $45/Non-Member
Rain Barrel Workshop
Presented by
Saturday, Aug. 6 • 10 a.m. - Noon
Limited to 20 • Adults and ages 5 and older accompanied by an adult
$20 per person supports the Cherokee National Forest Fisheries program
Adults • Limited to 20
$25/Member; $30/Non-Member
Location: IMAX Center Classrooms
Presented by
An Aquatic Biologist Adventure
Saturday, July 23 • 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(rain date: July 30)
COCA-COLA
The Conasauga State Scenic River has crystal clear
waters that make it ideal for exploring and snorkeling.
Get nose to nose with brilliantly colored fish as Dr. Anna George,
director of the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute
(TNACI) and Aquarium educator George Bartnik help you to discover the life-styles of the finned, shelled and scaly! Find out what
you can do to keep rivers and streams healthy with Cherokee
National Forest Fisheries staff. Includes use of all snorkeling equipment and wet suits or bring your own. Underwater viewers will be provided for children under eight. Bring your own lunch, snack and drink.
A rain barrel collects water from gutters and stores it for future uses like
watering plants and washing cars, especially during periods of
drought. Go green and convert an empty 55-gallon Coca-Cola
syrup drum into a working rain barrel by attaching connectors
during the program with the help of experts with Ace Hardware.
Learn how to install your rain
barrel onto your downspout at
home and the importance of
practicing water conservation.
Includes a pre-drilled barrel and
a kit with hose adapters, spigot
and basket for trapping debris.
Bring a vehicle to accommodate
a 55-gallon rain barrel.
Snorkel the Conasauga
REGISTER NOW online at www.tnaqua.org/Events.aspx or mail form on page 16 or call 423-267-FISH (3474).
Renew your Membership — anytime! Visit www.tnaqua.org/Membership.aspx
R I V E R WAT C H
11
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Family
Canoe Trips
Saturday, June 25 & July 9
10 a.m. – 1 p.m
Touring Kayak Clinics
Saturday, June 11 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. & Sunday, July 10 • 1 – 4 p.m.
Learn kayaking basics from the experienced guides of Outdoor
Chattanooga. Proper paddling techniques, how to adjust, enter
and exit a boat, safety guidelines and what to do if you turn over
will all be covered. Dress in clothing that may get wet and bring
dry ones in case you want to experience a wet exit first-hand. Meet
at Greenway Farm.
Adults and ages 14 and older accompanied by an adult
Limited to 12 per session; minimum 8 • $20/Member; $25/Non-Member
Get up close and personal with creek critters
as you float the pastoral
waters of the North
Chickamauga Creek in
canoes and then paddle
into the faster current of
the Tennessee River. All
equipment and transport
are provided. Please bring
your own drink and lunch
if desired. Meet at
Greenway Farm.
Adults and ages 5 and older accompanied by an adult • Limited to 16 per session;
minimum of 10 • Child (5-12): $12/Member; $17/Non-Member
Adult: $15/Member; $20/Non-Member
WOW — Women on the Water
Wednesday, July 13 • 7 - 9 p.m.
Ladies! Strap on a pair of water sandals and paddle with us on
a laid-back adventure as we explore local rivers and lakes with
other women. All equipment is provided, including an expert
female guide. You don’t have to be an expert and can even register
for a kayak clinic if you want some practice before the trip. Meet
at Greenway Farm. BYO snack and drink.
Adults (women only) • Limited to 12, minimum 8 • $20/Member; $25/Non-Member
Nickajack Bat Cave Paddle
Presented by
Friday, June 24 & Thursday, July 14 • 7 - 10 p.m.
Enjoy an amazing spectacle from the water,
as nearly 100,000 endangered gray bats exit the Nickajack Cave.
Explore the waters of Nickajack Lake while the sun sets before the
main attraction at dusk. Includes all equipment and Outdoor
Chattanooga guides. BYO snack and drink. Meet at Nickajack Lake.
Adults and ages 12 and older accompanied by an adult
Limited to 12, minimum 6 • $20/Member; $25/Non-Member
REGISTER NOW online at www.tnaqua.org/Events.aspx or mail form on page 16 or call 423-267-FISH (3474).
12
R I V E R WAT C H
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Nickajack Lock Paddle
Saturday, Aug. 6 • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Kayakers — get your blood boiling! Paddle en masse through
the lock of the Nickajack Dam between Nickajack and
Guntersville lakes in the Tennessee River Gorge. The adrenalin
builds as the huge doors close of the lock close and the rising
water lifts kayakers 41 feet to the adjoining reservoir to look for
wildlife. Includes all equipment and transportation. BYO lunch and
water bottle.
Adults and ages 14 years and older accompanied by an adult
Limited to12, minimum 6 • $35/Member; $40/Non-Member • Meet at Greenway Farm
Introduction to SUP —
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Saturday, June 18 • Session I: 9 – 10:30 a.m.; Session II: 11 a.m. –
12:30 (July 16 rain date) Additional sessions will be added if needed.
It started with the “beach boys” of Waikiki but you don’t have
to travel to Hawaii to try SUP, Stand Up Paddle-boarding, one of
America’s fastest growing water sports. It’s fun, easy and almost
like walking on water. Learn the basics including how to mount
your board, paddle, stay upright and negotiate a turn. Getting
wet is required! Strong core muscles are highly recommended.
Included: Instructors with SUP paddleboard, Chattanooga, paddle
board, paddle and life jacket.
Adults and ages 12 and older (children must be accompanied by an adult)
Limited to 10 per session • $40/Member; $45/Non-Member
Downtown Chattanooga
Sunset Paddle
Friday, Aug. 12 • 6 – 9 p.m.
Tour the heart of Chattanooga on the Tennessee
River by launching kayaks at Renaissance Park, adjacent
to Coolidge Park. We will paddle past downtown landmarks and around Maclellan Island, a beautiful bird
sanctuary where large blue herons roost at sunset. Meets
at Coolidge Park. BYO snack and drink.
Adults and ages 14 and older accompanied by an adult
Limited to 12, minimum 6 • $25/Member; $30/Non-Member
Tennessee River Gorge Paddle
Saturday, Aug. 27 • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m
Paddle the “Grand Canyon of Tennessee,” a nine-mile section
of Chattanooga’s 50-mile “blueway.” This four to five hour paddle
runs through the heart of the Tennessee River Gorge past majestic
cliffs and ends at Raccoon Mountain. All equipment, guides and
transportation provided from Greenway Farm by Outdoor
Chattanooga. BYO lunch, water bottle and wear shorts, t-shirt and
shoes that can get wet.
Adults and ages 14 and older accompanied by an adult • Limited to 12, minimum 8
$35/Member; $40/Non-Member • Meet at Greenway Farm
REGISTER NOW online at www.tnaqua.org/Events.aspx or mail form on page 16 or call 423-267-FISH (3474).
Renew your Membership — anytime! Visit www.tnaqua.org/Membership.aspx
R I V E R WAT C H
13
SPECIAL EVENTS
Navy Week Cruise
America’s Birthday Cruise
With the Commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet
On the Tennessee River Gorge Explorer
Tuesday, June 14 • 1 - 3 p.m.
Sunday, July 3 • 6 – 9 p.m.
Celebrate Navy Week in Chattanooga on
the Tennessee River aboard the River Gorge
Explorer and get a world view of U.S.
Naval operations from special guest Vice
Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., Commander
of the U.S. 6th Fleet. From engaging early
Barbary pirates, to present day military,
logistical and humanitarian assistance and
disaster response, Admiral Harris will talk
about Navy maritime strategy, river capabilities and how “America’s Global Force for
Good” impacts day-to-day life here in
Chattanooga.
Celebrate America’s birthday on one of America’s great rivers
aboard our exciting high-speed catamaran that will whisk you into
the heart of the “Grand Canyon of Tennessee.” From turtles to
osprey, an Aquarium naturalist will talk about the All-American
animals found on the river with a special close-up critter encounter! Deep inside the river gorge, step outside onto viewing decks
and immerse yourself in the scenic beauty as the sun begins its
descent. Continue the adventure by watching the Pops on the
River fireworks show on the Aquarium “patio” with complimentary 3-D glasses and a
snack pack. Cash bar
with soft drinks and
snacks available.
Presented by
All Ages • Limited to 60 • $24/Member Adult; $18/Member Child (0-12)
$29/Non-Member Adult; $21.50/Non-Member Child (3-12); $18/Child under 3
Presented by
All Ages • Limited to 68 • Adult:
$28/Member; $33/Non-Member
• Child: $22/Member (age 0-12);
$26//Non-Member (age 3-12);
$22/Non-Member (age 0-2)
A Taste of Summer
at 212 Market Restaurant
Thursday, July 14 • 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Savor the sweet tastes of Summer where local is better! Begin with crostini
topped with baked figs, local goat cheese, country ham & honey drizzle. Our
entrée features grilled regional trout with potato salad and grilled corn from
area farms with creamy chipotle sauce. End on a sweet note with refreshingly
tart lemon pie garnished with berries and blackberry sorbet. Includes dinner,
cooking demonstrations, and a glass of house wine, tax and gratuity.
Adults • Limited to 35 • $35/Member; $45/Non-Member
REGISTER NOW online at www.tnaqua.org/Events.aspx or mail form on page 16 or call 423-267-FISH (3474).
14
R I V E R WAT C H
Go green and get Riverwatch online! Visit www.tnaqua.org/Membership/Riverwatch.aspx
S
E
R
U
T
N
E
V
D
A
L
E
V
TRA
Contact Betty Miles for a
trip brochure: [email protected]
or 423-785-3008
Pt
Patagonia
i —
Chile’s Remote Wilderness
November 26 – December 4, 2011
San Diego Photo Safari
Sunday, Oct. 23 – Saturday, Oct. 29
Join professional nature photographers Tom and Pat Cory
to capture rich images, from rugged seacoasts, tide pools and
lighthouses to Spanish missions, naval vessels and unusual flora
and fauna. Point Loma features the Old Point Loma
Lighthouse, sandstone cliffs and tide pools and a cemetery with
hundreds of white headstones overlooking the ocean. Stop at a
beautiful vineyard for a wine tasting after an African-style photo
safari at the famous San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park with
the chance to feed giraffes and rhinos! Casual photographers
would enjoy this trip, too!
Patagonia is a region that stands as the very definition of
wildness: massive, granite horns thrust from the ground; fields
of ice and glaciers as old as time; and forests and lakes that
dwarf those who visit. Explore Patagonia’s crowning jewel,
Torres Del Paine National Park, renowned as one of the most
beautiful and unspoiled destinations on the planet, perched at
the edge of a great continent. Naturalist guides will lead you
on daily excursions by vehicle, on foot and by boat to see dazzling landscapes, magnificent condors, foxes, puma, guanacos
and glaciers – plus the Otway Magallenic penguin colony in
Punta Arenas! Extensions include Easter Island and a Chilean
fjords cruise.
Renew your Membership — anytime! Visit www.tnaqua.org/Membership.aspx
R I V E R WAT C H
15
PROGRAM REGISTRATION — REGISTER NOW!
www.tnaqua.org/Events.aspx
Registration is required for all programs with payment in full.
ONLINE:
PROGRAM REGISTRATION FORM
www.tnaqua.org/Events.aspx
PHONE: 423-267-FISH (3474) or
800-262-0695, ext. 3400, 8:30 a.m. 4:45 p.m. weekdays. Please have event
and credit card information ready.
PAYMENT is required by credit card,
cash or check when registering.
Member Name
Membership Number
Address
City
Home Telephone
Program
State
Business Telephone
Date/Time
Zip
E-mail
Participant Name
Age
Fee
CONFIRMATION with event details
will be mailed upon receipt of event
fees.
CANCELLATIONS/REFUND: We
cannot provide refunds for no-shows.
Unless noted differently, cancellations
must be received no less than two
weeks prior to event date for a refund.
A full refund is made if the Aquarium
cancels an event or if an event is full.
*Indicates second choice of date/time if program is offered more than once.
**Guests who are not members must pay non-member fees.
MAIL TO:
Member Programs
Tennessee Aquarium
P.O. Box 11048
Chattanooga, TN 37401-2048
VISA
Check Enclosed (payable to Tennessee Aquarium)
Mastercard
Discover
Amex.
Card Number
Exp. Date
Cardholder’s Signature
YOU CAN ALSO READ ABOUT MEMBER PROGRAMS ONLINE AT: www.tnaqua.org
RENEW ONLINE — ANYTIME! Visit www.tnaqua.org
Let’s Stay in Touch
Do you we have your current email address? If you would like to stay
on top of the latest Aquarium news, get notifications on new events,
receive personalized membership updates and timely renewal reminders, register for our new online community at: www.tnaqua.org/
membership.aspx.
Go Green!
Riverwatch is also an electronic magazine with the same great articles,
vivid photos, and listings of fun-filled events as the print version. You
can now receive your full-color Riverwatch, enhanced with interactive
features, delivered directly to your inbox. It’s a great way to be “green”
and support the environment. Visit www.tnaqua.org/membership/
riverwatch.aspx to sign up today. And remember, you can also renew
your membership online anytime and continue to receive the great benefits of unlimited admission, exclusive discounts, and more without
interruption. Visit www.tnaqua.org to renew — it’s fast, convenient
and paperless!
Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr
Not only can you join in the conversation, you’ll be surprised by some
of the things that don’t make the pages of Riverwatch.
Official sponsor of the Tennessee Aquarium Membership Program.
16
R I V E R WAT C H
Go green and get Riverwatch online! Visit www.tnaqua.org/Membership/Riverwatch.aspx
issue, loo
rium’s Animal
Collect the Tennessee Aqua n Animal
ow
Trading Cards, send us your
d Riddles
Art or Silly Animal Jokes an Do That”
ey
and ask us your “How Do Th along with
s
questions. Send all submission
.org.
your name & age to jal@tnaqua
)
(
Cut along dotted lines and start your own collection.

Eastern Box Turtle
Limulus polyphemus
s! InitieaeschinRivtheriswasetccthion.
Heyk foKr id
fun activ
T E N N E S S EE AQUARI UM
ANIMAL TR ADING C ARDS
ED BY
OUR FEET WET ” PROVID
CONTENT FOR “GETTINGUM EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
ARI
AQU
SEE
THE TENNES
THIS OR THAT HABITAT
A habitat is a place where an animal lives. If an area is a habitat for one animal
that any other animal is able to survive there. Different animals need different types and amounts of food, water, shelter and space. For example, a shark
would never survive in a desert and a tarantula would not last long in the
ocean!
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
See if you can figure out which animals would survive in the habitats provided
on the right. Draw a line to help them get to their habitat.
It is important for us to protect habitats so animals have a place to live. When
an animal’s habitat is polluted or changed, it becomes very hard for that animal to survive. We can help by keeping healthy natural areas in our communities and creating habitats in our own backyard!
Green treefrog
17
Hyla cinerea
R I V E R WAT C H
TE NNESSEE AQUARIU M
ANIMAL TR ADING C ARDS
Cut along dotted lines and start your own collection.

Tennessee Aquarium R248
HOW DO THEY DO THAT?
Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene Carolina
• Habitat — Eastern United States. A
land species found in deciduous forests,
moist, open woods, overgrown fields and
swamps.
How Does a Box
Turtle Make a Box?
• Diet — Earthworms, insects, snails,
mushrooms, fruit and berries.
Box turtles can close their shells
because of a hinge-like part of their
bottom shell, or plastron. It works
like the hinge on a door. This lets
turtles bring the front sections
of their plastrons right up
against their carapaces, or
top shells. They pull in their
legs, head and tail, then use
this hinge to close and “box”
themselves up tight. This is
an active form of defense from
predators.
• Size — The box turtle’s shell is 4 to 5
inches long. With head and tail extended,
about 7 inches long.
turtles are the official
WOW! Box
Tennessee state reptile. They
eat poisonous mushrooms, storing the
toxins from the mushrooms in their flesh to
make them distasteful to predators.
The eastern box turtle can be seen in
Animal Encounter programs in Ranger’s
Rick Backyard Safari in River Journey.
Tennessee Aquarium I547
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
HORSESHOE CRAB CRAFT
• Habitat — Found over most of the
United States in a variety of open, sunny
places with flowering plants.
MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED:
• Diet — Caterpillars feed on many species
of plants in the milkweed family. Adults
sip nectar from many flowers and sometimes get nutrients from moist soil.
• 1 large paper plate
• 3 small coffee filters
• Glue
• Size — Caterpillars are 1½ - 2 inches
long. Wingspan of adults is 3 ½ - 4 inches.
DIRECTIONS:
September monarchs
WOW! Each
from the Eastern U.S. migrate
south to dense fir forests in Mexico and
spend the winter months 10,000-11,000
feet above sea level with millions of other
monarchs. When spring arrives, their offspring begin the return trip north.
The monarch can be seen
in the Butterfly Garden on Level 4
of Ocean Journey.
Tennessee Aquarium A247
Green treefrog
Hyla cinerea
• Habitat — Trees and shrubs near freshwater ponds, swamps and marshes in the
southeastern United States.
• Diet — Small insects of all types.
• Size — 1-½ to 2-½ inches long.
green treefrog has slowly
WOW! The
expanded its range into
our area. Twenty years ago their official
range was 100 miles to the south, but now
it is possible to hear their loud, penetrating “Quonk, Quonk” calls near ponds and
swamps around Chattanooga.
The green tree frog can be seen in
R I VHall
E R WonA Level
T C H 3 of River Journey.
Discovery
18
• 1 small paper plate
• Plastic knife
• Scissors
• 4 pipe cleaners
• 6 small wiggly eyes
• Markers or crayons
1.
Color both sides of both plates with crayons or markers.
If you want it to be realistic, use grays or browns or you
can be as creative as you like.
2. Cut the large paper plate so it is shaped like a crescent.
Discard the small piece.
3. Cut out ‘v’-shaped notches around half of the small
plate. Be sure the notches are not glued to the large
plate in the next step.
4. Glue the bottom of the small plate to the inside of the
large plate so that you cover most of the section you
removed from the large plate.
5. Glue the spreading edge of the knife to the inside of the
small plate so that most of it sticks out from under the
plate.
6. Fold the coffee filters in half and glue them in layers
inside the small plate so that the folds are facing away
from the knife. These are the gills.
7. Bend both ends of each pipe cleaner so that each end
looks like ‘Y’ with a long tail. These are the legs.
8. Glue the legs inside the large plate in rows starting next
to the gills.
9. Wait to let everything dry well.
10. Turn over so you are looking at the bottom of the large plate and glue the eyes in the
locations used in the example, or choose your own.
Even though it is called a crab, it is actually more closely related to arachnids such as spiders
or scorpions. Like a real horseshoe crab, your craft has multiple eyes on its carapace and tail
that helps it right itself when it gets turned over.
RIVERCURRENTS
Donor Spotlight
The trip to Chattanooga is never too far from the Monteagle
farm of Brian and Elizabeth Masters. From moonlight paddles
to weekend workshops with their three girls, to date nights for
just the two of them, the Masters take advantage of excursions
to the Tennessee Aquarium as often as they can. “On the farm,
our kids see life happening in nature right in their own backyard. The Tennessee Aquarium gives them a broader picture
of life around the world.”
As Patron Members, the Masters have chosen to invest in
the Aquarium’s mission to inspire wonder, appreciation and
protection of water and all life that it sustains. “The Aquarium
takes great care of the animals, maintains a wonderful facility,
always has exciting new exhibits and has been a great draw
for Chattanooga. It all costs money. We get so much out of
the Aquarium that we’re pleased to be able to give back what
we can.”
Contributing members like the Masters help the Aquarium
develop new exhibit galleries, expand education programs and
community outreach, and advance our research in conservation science. Please consider how you can join them in lending
your support. Visit www.tnaqua.org and click on “Donate.”
Born to Be Wild Plush
Elephants and Orangutans oh my! Swing on
by the IMAX® Gift Shop after you’ve seen our
new movie to check out our African plush!
We offer plush elephants featured in the
movie, as well as a variety of other animals
such as giraffes and hyenas. We also have
adorable Indonesian orangutans and baby
orangutan books. Stop on in and find the
perfect gift! Many of our items are also available online at: store.shopaquarium.org. To
get your member 10% discount online, type
in the code ELEPHANT.
New Director
of Development
The Tennessee Aquarium has a familiar face in a new position. Tennessee
Aquarium President Charlie Arant recently announced veteran employee Judy
Powell has become the Aquarium’s Director of Development. “Judy has a unique
perspective, having spent the last 20 years on our senior leadership team. She is
passionate about the Aquarium and has been instrumental in every major milestone we have marked since opening to the public in 1992. We are thrilled with
her new leadership role and think our donors will be too.”
In her new role, Judy will focus on continuing work with our donors while
leading new efforts to broaden the Aquarium’s base of community support.
She succeeds Heather DeGaetano who, for the last five years, established the
Aquarium’s first Development Department.
“The Tennessee Aquarium relies on the generosity of the community to fulfill
our mission, and I am excited about the opportunities to work with our donors in
this capacity,” said Powell. You can reach Judy via email at [email protected] or by
calling the Development Office at (423) 785-3038.
Discover ways to support Tennessee Valley conservation at www.tnaqua.org
R I V E R WAT C H
19
E D U C AT I O N O U T R E AC H
Mayflies, Stoneflies
& Caddisflies…oh my!
By George Bartnik, education programs manager
A cool mountain stream
babbles as it flows through
the Lula Lake Land Trust on
Lookout Mountain. For an excited group
of third graders, this stream is fascinating
and it sends their minds into overdrive. If
you were an insect living in a creek, where
would the best place be for you to live?
What’s a hellgrammite? Where would you
find one and how would you safely catch
it? Did you know that dragonflies live
underwater for most of their lives?
E
ach spring, students from Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy (CDESA) visit this
mountain stream accompanied by Aquarium educators. It’s a learning expedition that provides a chance for
these kids to get a little wet while exploring an ecosystem
that holds the answers to the above questions. And while
20
R I V E R WAT C H
they’re discovering a hellgrammite is the larval form of the
dobsonfly, they’re asking even more questions rapid-fire.
What’s a dobsonfly? What do they eat? What eats them?
The students collect macroinvertebrates — creatures
who don’t have backbones — and possibly a few vertebrates
that also live in Rock Creek by using sturdy nets and their
own hands. These critters provide clues about the water
quality. The young environmental detectives combine these
clues with other observations to help determine the relative health of the many smaller streams that feed into Rock
Creek.
They also quickly
learn the right locations
to find both predators and prey. Almost
everyone finds what are
initially declared tiny
lobsters or crabs, until
one of the students
properly identifies
them as crayfish/
crawdads/crawfish
from the nearby ID
charts. Perhaps the
easiest critters to
“catch” are the snails.
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The third graders
quickly learn that
observing a snail’s
body shape also
yields evidence of
a stream’s health.
Fortunately, in
every instance
so far, the snails
indicated good
water quality.
Once collecting
is complete and
compared with their other observations, the students decide
whether the creek is a good place to live. That decision is
aided by some of the critters collected from the creek, called
indicator organisms. The presence of these animals indicates
the stream is healthy.
After the lesson is complete and the critters have been
returned to their homes, the students have time for a picnic
lunch, a short hike to see spectacular Lula Falls and time
to prepare for their last challenge of the day. Working in
teams, the students construct a vessel, made from available
natural materials, that must float through the creek’s “rapids” and cross the finish line — ideally in first place.
The bridge over the race course comes alive with cheering students as their “boats” approach the finish line. That
sound mixes with shouts of dismay as some of the boats ei-
ther sink or break apart on the rocks. Either way, the power
of water is evident in this brief exercise. It’s a force that’s
continually on display in this outdoor classroom.
While the Rock Creek watershed may not be your
typical backyard, it certainly is a part of Chattanooga’s
backyard. The waters draining Lookout Mountain flow into
the Chattanooga area and end up in the Tennessee River.
The CDESA students realize that this creek is actually a
collection of many habitats, providing homes for creatures
they most likely have never seen before. And each of those
critters plays a role in the life of the creek. After a day of
exploration, these youngsters are able to draw comparisons
with their lives back in Chattanooga. They learn how they
too depend on certain things to survive…food, water, shelter and space. 
Discover ways to support Tennessee Valley conservation at www.tnaqua.org
R I V E R WAT C H
21
OCEAN JOURNEY
New Faces in Jellies: Living Art
By Sharyl Crossley, senior aquarist
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD STAILEY
The Jellies: Living Art gallery features
seven different species of jellyfish, so it’s
vital to have a reliable source for these
amazing creatures. One of the best ways
to have a consistent supply of jellies is to
culture them at the Aquarium. However,
because of their complicated life cycle,
culturing jellyfish is challenging at best.
E
ach stage in a jellyfish life cycle is so distinct that
raising a single species is like caring for four very different animals. Additionally, culturing methods have
to be adapted to fit the particular needs of each individual
species. The process is often tedious and takes patience, but
this makes our successes that much sweeter. The spotted
lagoon jellyfish and East Coast nettles are two Aquarium
success stories that highlight how different bringing up baby
can be when the baby is a tiny, gelatinous blob.
In fall 2010, we received a small colony of spotted
lagoon jelly polyps from an aquarium in Oklahoma as part
of a jellyfish trade. A few days after arriving, the polyps
began to release ephyra, the
larval medusa that will grow
into adult jellies. The tiny, less
than one millimeter in diameter, golden ephyra collect in a
custom made tub that sits under
a very bright light. Bright light
is the key element that helps the
algae living in the lagoon jelly’s
tissue produce food for the animal. Over the next two weeks
the tiny ephyra develop into
larger, half-inch diameter, blue
medusa with short, frilly white
oral arms. At about three
weeks, these little jellies start to
develop the characteristic white
spots and golden color that
make them stand out in the
Jellies: Living Art gallery.
East Coast sea nettles, Chrysaora quinquecirrha, are notorious
for stinging summer beachgoers along the coastlines of the
western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of
Mexico. These jellies are found in
the coastal estuarine and brackish
waters during the warm summer
months. They feed on plankton,
larval fish, shrimp and other jellies. Their bodies are delicate and
ghostly white with long trailing
tentacles and oral arms.
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R I V E R WAT C H
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Spotted lagoon jellyfish, Mastigias papu
a, are closely related to
upside down jellyfish and blubber jelly
fish. Wild mastigias can
be found in the coastal waters of the
South Pacific Ocean, Hawaii
and Puerto Rico. They feed on small
plankton but also receive
nutrients from symbiotic algae, calle
d zooxanthellae, living in
their tissues. Their golden brown colo
r comes from this algae.
Usually success does not arrive as quickly. Several years
ago we received 10 adult East Coast sea nettles for exhibit
in Boneless Beauties. These wild-caught mature medusa
produced polyps quickly, but our ability to cultivate a new
generation of sea nettles was stalled by a lack of culturing space capable of providing the estuarine environment
favored by these jellies. Things changed when construction
began for Jellies: Living Art, and it was obvious more culturing systems would be needed to support the new exhibits.
Instead of a few large systems, seven small, independent
systems were built in the quarantine room. These new
systems gave us the flexibility needed to care for a more
diverse collection of jellies. This was just what the East
Coast nettles needed.
With a dedicated system filled with the warm brackish water they prefer, the size of the sea nettle polyp colony
doubled and soon small, pale-pink ephyra were released.
These newly released ephyra are so tiny that a special feeding technique, called power feeding, is used to make sure
they get enough food during their first couple of weeks.
The ephyra are kept in a shallow glass dish with a slow air
bubbler to add just a little water movement. Each morning
the ephyra are given a breakfast smoothie of concentrated
plankton, pureed oyster parts and moon jellyfish slime.
This “delicious” mix is highly nutritious but also
quickly fouls the water in the dish. So after the ephyra are
fed for about 30 minutes, they are removed from the mixture and transferred into a clean dish with new water. The
ephyra spend the rest of the day feeding on live rotifers.
Within two to three weeks, the ephyra usually grow large
enough to start eating nauplii, newly hatched brine shrimp.
Over the next two months they will continue to grow, develop tentacles and start to look like small medusa. Once
they reach one quarter of an inch in diameter, they are
moved into a small tank that’s similar to our exhibits where
they receive larger foods like diced moon jellyfish, pureed
salmon and frozen mysis shrimp.
Over the last year, our culturing successes with East
Coast sea nettles, umbrella jellyfish, upside-down jellyfish
and spotted lagoon jellyfish have allowed us to not only introduce two new species in Jellies: Living Art, but also share
surplus animals with more than one dozen AZA accredited
institutions in the United States. This is what I like to call
good jellyfish karma. 
Discover ways to support Tennessee Valley conservation at www.tnaqua.org
R I V E R WAT C H
23
TENNESSEE AQUARIUM
The Tennessee Aquarium is a non-profit institution. Your
dollars support our many education, conservation and research
programs. Visit www.tnaqua.org for more
information. Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
VISION
The Tennessee Aquarium envisions a world
that values all aquatic environments.
RIVERWATCH EDITOR
Thom Benson
[email protected]
EVENTS EDITOR
Betty Miles
EDITORIAL BOARD
Loribeth Aldrich
Lisa Garey Brown
Chris Dortch
Dr. Anna George
Carol Haley
John Kelley
Laura Kroeger
Jennifer Latour
Tom Lee
Julie Piper
Judy Powell
Janie Shipley
Cindy Todd
Mara-Lynne Payne
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Karen Estes
PHOTOGRAPHER
Todd Stailey
Riverwatch is published quarterly by the Tennessee Aquarium.
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