Celebrate Earth Day this year up close with the fish of the Ohio River.
ORSANCO's Ohio River Educational Foundation (FORE) will exhibit its underwater mobile freshwater aquarium at the Miami Parks Hug the Earth Festival at Lost Creek Preserve in Troy, Ohio today from noon to 5 p.m. Masu.
There are five more opportunities to visit the mobile aquarium scheduled for the fall.
Life beneath the surface — ORSANCO's mobile aquarium. (Photo provided)
“We hope that the engaging outdoor experiences at the Hug the Earth Festival will strengthen our visitors’ connection to nature. This is completely in keeping with the spirit of Earth Day,” said Amanda Smith, Miami County Park District Marketing Manager.
The 2,200-gallon aquarium focuses on the fish diversity of the Ohio River and its tributaries, providing the public with a unique opportunity to view aquatic life normally hidden in the river's depths. Fish for each exhibit will be collected using electrofishing and returned after the event. The Ohio River is one of the most diverse and resilient rivers in the country from an ecological perspective. According to information collected by ORSANCO scientists, the river thrives and supports more than 160 species of fish and other wildlife, including a combination of prehistoric fish such as gar, paddlefish, bowfin, and sturgeon. Technical His Program Manager Ryan Argo said: Our aquarium offers the public the opportunity to act as Orsanko biologists and learn how local aquatic communities reflect their part of this diverse watershed. ”
FORE is hosting a series of environmental education events throughout the tri-state region this spring and summer to encourage stewardship and educate the public about the Ohio River and its rich resources. “FORE's programs educate people of all ages about the cultural, ecological and economic values of the Ohio River and help change negative perceptions about the river,” said FORE Executive Director Annette Shumard. “It is designed to.”
Ohio River fish (provided photo)
The public will be able to experience FORE's traveling aquarium at numerous events throughout the Ohio River Basin in 2024, and the program is already accepting applications for 2025 events. A complete schedule of events can be found at orsanco.org/lbtwevent-calendar.
Earth Day is observed every April 22nd and is a day to show support for environmental protection. Celebrated since 1970, this day recognizes the interconnectedness we all have to the Earth and our role as stewards of it.
Today, the Ohio River serves as an important environmental and economic resource and maintains important cultural, ecological, and recreational values. Rivers are a lifeline for countless communities across multiple states. Its waters sustain diverse wildlife and aquatic habitats, provide drinking water for 5 million people, and drive industries vital to the local economy. It serves as a major transportation corridor, transporting more than 184 million tons of cargo annually. Challenges for the Ohio River and many other waterways can include pollution, runoff, and industrial waste that not only degrade water quality but also impact public health, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of those who depend on the river. There is a gender. The Ohio River Basin is home to more than 30 million people.
This Earth Day, FORE encourages people to consider celebrating the values of the Ohio River and work to protect this essential resource that sustains the quality of life throughout the watershed.
Mobile aquarium schedule:
• April 20 – Miami Parks Earth Day Festival in Troy, Ohio
• May 8 – Dayton Water Festival in Dayton, Ohio
• June 8 – WAVE Foundation/Ohio River Cleanup, Newport, Kentucky
• July 19 – Winton Woods Kids Expo, Cincinnati, Ohio
• September 27 – Olsanko Ohio River Celebration, Cincinnati, Ohio
• October 9-10 – ORSANCO Committee Meeting, Charleston, West Virginia
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