The Tennessee Aquarium’s mission is to connect people with nature and support informed decision-making about water and wildlife. The Aquarium's team of conservation professionals advances this mission by contributing essential applied freshwater research and ecosystem management expertise. Working at the intersection of science, restoration, and public engagement, the Watershed Conservation Coordinator integrates field research, social-ecological theory, restoration practice, and stakeholder engagement to improve watershed health across southeast Tennessee.
The Aquarium’s conservation staff lead long-term, field-based programs that yield measurable outcomes, including a 25-year lake sturgeon restoration effort, a region-wide land management initiative exceeding $10 million in investment, and multiple research and monitoring projects that guide the recovery of threatened and endangered species. Partnerships with agencies, NGOs, landowners, and community groups are central to the work of the Watershed Conservation Coordinator and demonstrate the importance of cross‑sector collaboration in applied conservation science.
This integrative approach positions ecology as both a conceptual framework and a practical toolkit for addressing real‑world conservation challenges. Through interdisciplinary work, the Watershed Conservation Coordinator translates academic research into effective strategies while generating insights that contribute to the broader scientific community. This model highlights impactful, community-embedded career pathways available to students and early career scientists beyond traditional academic settings.