The progam is sponsored by New Echota Rivers Alliance (NERA) and will begin at 7 p.m. The Depot is located at 109 King St. in Calhoun. The event is free and open to the public.
Tuck, who began his journey Aug. 25 in the Cherokee National Forest, is expected to reach Calhoun Sept. 5.
At the Calhoun Depot, he will share his photographs, videos and stories from his travels and discuss some the river’s unique fish that make the Upper Coosa River Basin the most biologically diverse river system in North America.
“The underwater photographs that Amos has shot during his trip are a window to a world most of us never knew existed,” said Dan McBee, NERA Executive Director who arranged the program for the evening. “If you’ve ever wondered what was swimming around beneath the surface of our rivers, this is your chance to see it.”
Tuck, who joined the CRBI staff in March, is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources where he majored in fisheries and wildlife with an emphasis on aquatic sciences. He has studied Coosa River Basin fish and mussels extensively.
The purpose of “Amos’ Odyssey” is to raise awareness about the outstanding aquatic biodiversity of the Upper Coosa River Basin. During the first week of his trip, Tuck has used underwater photography equipment and snorkeling gear to document many of the river’s unique fish. He has identified more than 30 different species of fish and has had encounters with everything from massive snapping turtles to curious otters.
His daily reports are published at CRBI’s Musselhead Blog, www.coosa.wordpress.com and in the Rome News-Tribune.
On Sept. 9, Tuck will lead a paddle on the Oostanaula River in Calhoun to search for freshwater mussels.
The Upper Coosa River Basin is home to 27 mussel species, many of which can be found in the Oostanaula, including mammoth washboard mussels that can grow to the size of a dinner plate.
Canoes and kayaks are available for the paddle trip. The outings are free, but donations are accepted. To register to participate visit www.coosa.org or call 706-232-2724.
CRBI expects to raise $5,000 during Amos’ three-week journey. Those making membership donations during the event will receive raffle tickets to win a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 kayak from Cedar Creek Park. Supporters can make donations at Amos’s Odyssey fundraising page: http://www.firstgiving.com/coosa/amos-odessey.
CRBI is a 501c3 non-profit organization with the mission of informing and empowering citizens to protect, preserve and restore North America’s most biologically diverse river basin.
NERA is a 501c3 non-profit organization with the mission to preserve and protect the rivers, streams and lakes of Gordon County as well as those of the adjacent counties.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT DAN MCBEE AT 706-263-4002 or email at mcbee.dan3@gmail.com OR AMOS TUCK AT 770-316-4115 or e-mail at atuck@coosa.org
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