Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Lookouts team up to teach fans about waterway trash

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Chattanooga baseball fans got a different kind of scouting report during a recent night at AT&T Field, where the Tennessee Aquarium teamed up with the Chattanooga Lookouts to connect sports with conservation.

The partnership, billed as Conservation Night, brought the Aquarium’s “Animal Athletes” program to the ballpark to teach fans about wildlife and the importance of keeping trash out of waterways.

The event included live animals, interactive games and hands-on activities that highlighted how animals use specialized skills in nature.

“We know that they are here and they are passionate about sports, so let’s get them passionate about nature as well,” said Shawn Brim, community program supervisor at the Tennessee Aquarium.

Visitors learned about animals including tiger salamanders and leopard geckos, while also taking part in challenges inspired by animal behavior.

Brim said the goal was to make conservation approachable by meeting people where they are.

“The primary goal of this event is to connect people with nature, plain and simple. Here we are connecting the sports world to the animal world, highlighting those animal athletes and those special skills in nature.”

Aquarium leaders say they hope a fun experience at a game can lead to lasting conservation habits.

“We’re looking to just spark that curiosity to hopefully spark that change down the road,” Brim said.

Brim said that change matters as environmental challenges continue to affect the Tennessee Valley, with pollution and microplastics among the major concerns for local waterways and wildlife.

“As plastics enter water streams, they end up in tiny pieces, and they do end up in the stomachs of freshwater animals like catfish and sturgeons,” Brim said.

Organizers emphasized that protecting rivers and ecosystems benefits more than wildlife, supporting cleaner water, healthier communities and a stronger quality of life across the region. They also said conservation efforts can start small.

“Figure out where you can have the most impact and where you can have a consistent impact from where you are,” Brim said.

Aquarium staff say they hope fans left with more than memories of the game, taking home a deeper appreciation for the animals and ecosystems that call Tennessee home.