Speaker series: ‘Building a Community of Freshwater Advocates’

Anna George discovered early in life that being a biologist provided a good excuse to be outside. During her undergraduate and graduate coursework in biology at the University of Virginia and Saint Louis University, she worked in both freshwater and marine systems to study the conservation, ecology and evolution of fishes.

George, vice president of conservation science and education at the Tennessee Aquarium, has led research initiatives in freshwater habitat restoration, species reintroduction and population genetics in the Southeastern United States.

Her focus on water in the Southeast is critical at this point in time. Freshwater ecosystems are facing unprecedented challenges. Our diverse, clean waters are at threat from urbanization and stormwater runoff, overuse of water and changing weather patterns.

If you look beneath the surface of streams and rivers in the Southeastern United States, you’ll find an underwater rainforest teeming with life. More than half of our nation’s salamanders, turtles, fish and frogs make the waters of the Southeast their home. These same rivers also support economic development, recreation and relaxation. Unfortunately, freshwater ecosystems are facing unprecedented challenges.  Whether you are an engineer or a biologist, an artist or writer, the choices we make each day have the greatest impact on our backyard.

George has taught at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Franklin & Marshall College, Mountain Lake Biological Station and the University of the South. She serves on the Advisory Council for Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and the board of directors for Crabtree Farms.