Tanya Wells with the Kerry Wood Nature Centre says people are excited about what the new aquarium may be able to teach those who use the river. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

peeking under the surface

Nature centre aquarium shines light on watershed protection

Jul 13, 2019 | 11:53 AM

A new living, interpretive exhibit at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre is giving visitors a close-up view of inhabitants within the Red Deer River.

The Dow Freshwater Aquarium is now viewable and contains local fish and invertebrate species which most wouldn’t be able to see through the river’s heavy sediment.

Tanya Wells, Public Programs Coordinator at the nature centre, says a glimpse into Red Deer’s underwater life will help citizens better understand why we need to protect our watersheds.

“While we use the river recreationally and also for our water, many people don’t realize what goes on below the surface. Theres a whole environment, and everything we can do have a great impact on it,” Wells says.

“A lot of the water that ends up in the river isn’t cleaned. The wildlife, the fish, the plant-life that lives in that river have to deal with the chemicals that end up in the river every day and we want people to start thinking about that.”

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Wells says the Red Deer River is home to fish such as pike, walleye and sturgeon, but that’s just scratching the surface.

The 150 gallon aquarium was made possible thanks to a $5000 donation from Dow Chemical Canada.