Starting off strong with a packed room in January, Helaina Gomez captivated the audience with her lecture on the Laurel Dace, a critically endangered species. As Watershed Coordinator for the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, Gomez has invested considerable research into this native inhabitant of our local streams, specifically the headwater mountain streams of Walden’s Ridge. Only found in eight streams within the Cumberland Plateau, this fish is vulnerable to agricultural runoff nearby. Additionally, after last year’s drought, the Conservation Institute and the US Fish and Wildlife Service coordinated a rescue for the Laurel Dace, given their reliance on cool, clear creeks. Many attendees had questions about drought conditions and how agricultural runoff compromises the integrity of the Laurel Dace’s habitat. Gomez recounted the rescue tale in detail, and shared hopes for the species’ survival. Consider attending Laurel Dace Day in Spring City to celebrate the aquarium’s conservation efforts and partnerships.
