Kayak Tours Splash Through Downtown Chattanooga

REPORTING: MICHAEL EDWARD MILLER

Outdoor Chattanooga is hosting kayak tours on the Tennessee River, straight through the heart of the city.

Ruth Thompson joins us for an interview about the tours.  She’s the Events and Marketing Coordinator, for Outdoor Chattanooga, and she says these tours are a very unique way to see the Scenic City.

Listen to the story.

From the Outdoor Chattanooga Web site:

Hop into one of our stable, recreational kayaks and do a self-propelled tour around the Maclellan Island wildlife sanctuary, the Hunter Museum bluffs and Ross’ Landing.

These trips are designed for adults and kids ages and 14 and older in individual boats, kids ages 8 and older when in tandem with a parent or guardian.

Boats, gear, and guides are provided.
Expect about two hours on the water.
Beginners welcome.

All trips are contingent on weather and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) river flows.

Trip Schedule, 2010:
June 11, 12,18,19, 25, 26
July 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
August 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
September 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
9:00 - 11:30 a.m.

1st Annual Chattanooga Green Festival Coming Soon

Reporting: Monessa Guilfoil

“Picture Coolidge Park full of products, services and fun activities that contribute to better health and reduced utility bills while helping clean air and water and conserve land,” Bill Reynolds writes in describing this event.

In part two of our green fest series, Reynolds and Dr. Anna George identify several of the Green Action Teams which will participate in this ground-breaking event.    George works with the Natural Resources Action Team which will focus on native gardening, dealing with storm water run-off, and increasing the forest canopy in order to increase biodiversity in our area and create needed shade.    And 2010 was declared as the International Year of Biodiversity by the 61st session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2006.

Business owners who are interested in exhibiting products or services that contribute to a greener, more sustainable life may email Jeremiah Smith at smith_jer@chattanooga.gov.

Would you like to take Mayor Littlefield’s Environmental Pledge which says:

“I PLEDGE to replace 4 lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

TO eliminate 1 ton of carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the CFL’s.

CHATTANOOGA can save enough kilowatt hours to power the electric shuttle the distance to the moon and back 925 times.

I PLEDGE to turn off the water when brushing my teeth.

TO save 3.8 gallons of water a day.

CHATTANOOGA conserve enough water to fill the freshwater and saltwater tanks of the Tennessee Aquarium, every day.

I PLEDGE to replace at least one car trip a month with walking, bicycling, carpooling or public transit.

TO decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 1,000 pounds.

CHATTANOOGA can eliminate more than 230,000 tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent to removing 4,600 cars from the road every year.

I PLEDGE to plant and care for at least one tree, this year.

TO save at least 13 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually.

CHATTANOOGA eliminate as much carbon dioxide as the trees on 2,712 acres of undeveloped land, every year.

I PLEDGE to reduce my use of plastic shopping bags, by substituting reusable bags instead.

TO save up to 150 plastic bags a year from being made.

CHATTANOOGA reduce our use of oil by 300,000 gallons, every year.”

George also mentioned the Reflection Riding’s Spring Wild Flower festival and Native Plant sale which happens the same weekend.

Here’s what Chattanooga Has Fun website says about the upcoming Chattanooga Green Festival.   

It looks like Coolidge Park will be hopping on April 10th as both Outdoor Chattanooga and Parent Magazine will host these special events on the same day:

Listen to the story: