Regional vision for Chattanooga area natural resources crafted

A regional vision for the Chattanooga area’s natural resources and tools to help protect its fresh-water future will be unveiled Tuesday at the Tennessee Aquarium’s new Conservation Institute.

The aim is to show area leaders how to treat natural resources as opportunities rather than obstacles, according to a news release.

Dr. Anna George, the institute’s director, said one major takeaway for the event will be how important advance planning is, whether in conservation or just enjoying the outdoors.

“Whether it’s weekend camping with friends or a design for urban spaces, having a conversation in advance about our expectations, needs, and challenges will help us create a result with joint ownership,” she said.

The Thrive Regional Partnership and the Southeast Tennessee Development District have partnered with the institute to unveil the regional vision and tools.

On Tuesday, elected leaders, developers and other decision makers will visit the institute’s flagship facility on the Tennessee River adjacent to the Baylor School campus to hear presentations from the organizations.

The event marks the launch of “A Watershed Moment,” a full-color printed map and vision, compiled from public input during the Thrive 2055 planning initiative.

Also unveiled will be Hydro LIT, a “water quality playbook” created for the development district by graduate students in the College of Architecture and Design at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Both projects were funded by the Lyndhurst Foundation.

The leaders will receive printed copies of the map and digital copies of Hydro LIT. The more than 200-page resource guide suggests ways Southeastern developers can preserve water quality and natural features while continuing to stimulate the responsible growth of the region’s communities.

Using Hydro LIT as a guide, developers will be able to find ways to work with the environment, rather than against it, said Chuck Hammonds, the development district’s assistant executive director.

“After this event, we hope that folks will look at development in a different light. We hope that they will realize that the best approach to development isn’t to scrape it all off the ground and start over,” Hammonds said.