Meet Stephanie Chance and the Tennessee Aquarium
photo taken near Shawano, WI. Stephanie is on the left, helping with Lake Sturgeon spawning efforts.
In 2024, the EBTJV gained a new signatory to its Memorandum of Understanding, bringing the MOU list to 29 organizations. This newest partner, the Tennessee Aquarium, is a nonprofit aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Its mission is connecting people to water and wildlife and empowering them to make important decisions.
We invited Stephanie Chance of the Aquarium’s Conservation Institute to talk to us about the Aquarium, species recovery efforts and other conservation work, what makes for stellar outreach and fundraising, and its work on Brook Trout.
Stephanie has a background in freshwater mussel and rare species conservation. Prior to the Conservation Institute, she had been a biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. She currently works with nongame species including Laurel Dace.
EBTJV Coordinator Lori Maloney: The extreme drought in 2024 had a significant impact on Laurel Dace, tell us more about that. What is the role of the Institute in responding to future events like this?
Stephanie: The Aquarium has been working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners to protect the Laurel Dace since 2013. In July 2024, low rainfall in east Tennessee led to a severe drought and dace streams dried up to small, isolated pools with low oxygen and high ammonia. The Aquarium and University of Georgia partnered to notify the USFWS and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, who decided that capture and relocation to the Conservation Institute was warranted to prevent the extirpation and potential extinction of the species, known only from two streams on Walden’s Ridge. In July and August 2024, several rescues were conducted, with approximately 300 fish taken into human care at the Aquarium and Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery. In March 2025, stream conditions improved to the point that these fish were released back into the streams. The Aquarium has kept enough individuals to establish an ark population to ensure the future survival of the species. Additionally, the Aquarium has installed game cameras at dace streams to monitor stream conditions enabling us to respond to future events more efficiently.
Lori: The Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute raised an impressive amount of funds quickly in the "Race to Save the Laurel Dace" campaign. Could you elaborate on how this campaign engaged the public and what lessons were learned that might be applicable to other fundraising efforts?
Stephanie: The Aquarium’s “Race to Save the Laurel Dace” campaign started with a 2024 Giving Tuesday ask, which the Aquarium rarely uses. I spoke with Melanie King, VP and Chief Development Officer, about what made this campaign so successful, and here’s what she had to say.
I think there were a few reasons for our success:
1. We have been involved with the Laurel Dace for so long that we have much information to share quickly. The fact that development, marketing, and TNACI work so well together allows us to pivot quickly with dynamic communication methods. This includes access to high-level videos, social media opportunities, news outlets, and storytelling we could share with donors. We mobilized quickly, and we were everywhere.
2. The fact that we could honestly use the words “urgent” and point to something right here and right now where we could make an impact resonated with people. We don’t use “dire” and “urgent” often, so I think people picked up their ears and got engaged when we did. They could feel the urgency in the story. We also had a long-term plan in place, and we were asking for help for what we did not necessarily anticipate – an urgent need in the short term with the drought.
3. At a time when so much seems out of our hands, this was something local that we could move the needle on. Added to the fact that the Laurel Dace is also a very beautiful fish, and it gave people pause who often don’t realize just how vibrant minnows can be – the images we shared showed that. We also could celebrate the biodiversity of this area and encourage people to join us in not letting a single one of those species disappear from our region. I think that instills a sense of pride in donors, and they want to protect that.
Lori: You are planning “Laurel Dace Day” on May 17th. Want to talk about that and how someone could get involved?
Stephanie: Laurel Dace Day is a conservation celebration and festival in Spring City, TN that raises awareness of a critically endangered fish found only on nearby Walden’s Ridge. The Day kicks off with a 5k Run and Half Mile Fun Run, and if you’re not local, you can sign up online to run the race virtually. There will be festivities for everyone to enjoy—a local farmer’s market, artisan vendors, music, food and drink options, activities with the Aquarium’s conservation scientists and educators, and much more—all open to the public! Race for the Laurel Dace · Tennessee Aquarium Come and join our celebration to support the Laurel Dace!
Lori: The Aquarium has support work with Southern Appalachian Brook Trout in the Cherokee National Forest. Can you provide more details on the specific brook trout conservation projects the Institute is involved in and what challenges you've encountered?
Stephanie: For over ten years, the Tennessee Aquarium has partnered with the Cherokee National Forest and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to reestablish a native trout fishery in northeast Tennessee. Southern Appalachian Brook Trout historically inhabited streams throughout eastern Tennessee but are disappearing due to decades of clearcutting and habitat destruction. The Aquarium has released over 1,000 juveniles into the Tellico Wilderness Area of the Cherokee National Forest where the program saw a lot of success. So much so, that efforts moved to the Nolichucky River system. However, recent challenges that we have faced include a lack of healthy broodstock, those used for these efforts have lacked viable eggs for the past two years. The Aquarium is currently working with TWRA to determine a new focal area.
Lori: So Stephanie, what do you like to do to relax?
Stephanie: I would say my favorite way to unwind is spending time in the woods relaxing and hiking with family and friends. I also enjoy reading several books at once and teaching yoga and Pilates.
Lori: I can certainly relate to having multiple books open at the same time!
Thank you so much for reaching out on behalf of the Conservation Institute to partner with the EBTJV, and thank you for taking the time to tell us more about yourself and your important work. On behalf of all Brook Trout enthusiasts, thank you for helping Brook Trout in the Tellico Wilderness and Nolichucky Rivers with the Cherokee National Forest and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
There are some great lessons that we can learn from the recovery efforts and fundraising initiatives of the Conservation Institute. I love what Melanie King offered about being ready to respond and pivot quickly, the careful but effective use of the word "urgent", and the support of a dedicated community. And, we have in common that these iconic fishes are so beautiful and have dedicated supporters. We wish you success with Laurel Dace Day, and look forward to working more with you!
For more information about the Tennessee Aquarium, visit https://tnaqua.org/
Are you also interested in the Conservation Institute's two decade-long efforts raising and releasing hundreds of thousands of Lake Sturgeon to native waters? Check it out here.
Document Actions
