Wildlife Photograph

River Rescue has profound impact

Saturday April 26, 2008
Special thanks to this year's sponsors

Ijams' programs have a wide-reaching impact throughout the community. Last month's River Rescue is a classic example; not only does the event improve shoreline habitat along the Tennessee River, but also it encourages natural connections and genuine environmental stewardship in the hearts and minds throughout our community.

On April 5, I returned as zone captain at the Concord Park boat launch. Gloomy clouds and high water were in stark contrast to last year's brilliant sunshine, clear blue sky and golden shoreline. However, overcast weather didn't impact the number of volunteers one little bit. By 9:45 a.m., 91 volunteers of all ages descended upon me - all ready to get busy cleaning up the shoreline of Fort Loudon Lake.

Amy and Scott Sheets brought along a 51-strong group of cub scouts and parents from nearby United Methodist Church. Luckily, I had enough junior-sized gloves to fit their eager little hands before dispersing the group along the shore. For a few moments I was able to simply enjoy the tranquility of the lake. Canada geese honked above me and larked about the cove, and within a short time a number of great blue herons flew gracefully across the water. It felt great to be outdoors making an impact, not just for the birds and other wildlife, but also in the lives of our next generation. Maybe among the cub scouts there were a few new zone captains in the making.  

Before long, the first volunteers were back with full bags, each containing enough seemingly benign but potentially hazardous debris. The rest of the morning flew by in similar fashion. The cub scouts were tiring by noon, but their trash-booty swelled the confines of our dumpster in no time. In all, the band of volunteers had amassed 106 bags of trash as well as 15 tires. That's a mini trash mountain no longer hazardous to webbed feet, beaks, fins and scales. Hopefully, all concerned went home feeling a little tired with that warm glow that always comes with being outside making a simple yet profound gesture for the natural world.

Special thanks to this year's River Rescue sponsors: First Tennessee Foundation, Kimberly-Clark, 91.9 FM WUOT, Cariten Healthcare, Concord Marina, Southern Shores, Waste Management, USA, B-97.5 FM Radio, Commercial Investment Properties.

- By Paul James      

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