TSRA’s Duck River Opportunities Project is sponsored by GM-Spring Hill Manufacturing and works with local communities, agencies, volunteers and experts to improve water quality and provide education within the Duck River watershed.
For more information on DROP, please contact:
Shari Meghreblian, shari.meghreblian@gm.com or 931-489-4839
John McFadden, jfm@hughes.net or 615-374-3744
DROP works with HRWA to form Volunteer River Restoration Corps!
The Duck River Opportunities Project and the Harpeth River Watershed Association are partnering on the Volunteer River Restoration Corps (VRRC). The VRRC is a group of volunteers from both the Duck River watershed and the Harpeth River watershed who work together to get projects done in the rivers and streams of both watersheds.
If you're interested in getting your feet wet or your hands dirty, consider giving some time to your watershed. (And actually, getting wet or dirty is optional!)
Whether you want to be a river study volunteer, organize or join a neighborhood stream restoration project, give river talks to kids, organize public meetings, help put together fundraisers, provide accounting expertise, host a house party, hold a river float BBQ, or manage our database and mapping software, volunteering is the lifeblood of the Duck River Opportunities Project and of the Harpeth River Watershed Association. To lend a hand to the VRRC, call the HRWA office at 615-790-9767 or send us an email.
The GM-GREEN Program
A hands-on learning approach that makes learning come alive
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Across the country GM facilities and employees are working with school districts, environmental agencies, non-profits and other community members to engage young people in protecting local water resources and raise awareness of GM’s commitment to the environment. GM employees, local young people, teachers and communities are all benefiting from a greater awareness of our natural resources and increased knowledge of how to preserve them.
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WMS students prepare for the Youth Summit 2004
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Duck River Opportunities Project
Neighbors making a difference together
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E.A. Cox Middle School: Ms. Cathy’s class takes a break after sampling
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The Duck River Opportunities Project (DROP), a cooperative effort of the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association and local industry, schools and landowners, was launched to improve long-term water quality in the Duck River watershed and expand local awareness of water quality issues. Local communities depend on the Duck River for clean drinking water, fishing, swimming, agricultural and industrial uses – DROP is helping communities protect and restore this unique river now and for future generations.
Partners in Action
GM-GREEN, Duck River Opportunities Project, Earth Force
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Local students receive expert advice from GM Mentors and partner agencies like the US Geological Survey, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Earth Force, Maury County Soil Conservation District, TVA, the and TN Wildlife Resources Agency.
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Students examine mussel species in the Duck River |
Our Actions Affect Our Water
Improving long-term water quality through community involvement
GM-GREEN and the Duck River Opportunities Project are working together in schools and in communities to encourage citizens to take action to improve and protect the Duck River and its watershed. By working to improve awareness about the importance of the Duck River, young people and their communities are learning that daily actions like fixing a car leak or reforesting a stream bank affect local water quality, and there is something that everyone can do to make a difference.
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Whitthorne Middle School students participate in the Youth Summit 2004 |
Partnering for Education
Participatory learning experiences make a difference and leave lasting impressions
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The GM-GREEN program and the Duck River Opportunities Project (DROP) work together to help local young people learn more about the Duck River and the water quality of its many small streams and creeks. Employees from the GM-Spring Hill plant join DROP staff, volunteers, teachers and students both in the classroom and in the stream. Together they investigate water chemistry, aquatic insects and streamside habitat and look for ways to improve their local stream with civic action and personal attention.
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Whitthorne Middle School students clean up their adopted stream, Tiger Creek |
Engaging Young People
Students discover solutions for lasting change
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EA Cox Middle School students capture aquatic insects to classify and count |
With the help of GM Mentors, students document water quality issues and then work to discover solutions for improvement. Students are learning how to think critically, make decisions and implement plans for improving local water quality. Civic action plays an important part as students work together to encourage change within their local community. They are educating themselves and their community as they find and implement solutions to problems.
