Blog

It’s Earth Day – a day to support our environment (something we should be doing EVERY day).

The main star of Nashville Paddle Co. is, without doubt, the 360* of nature that surrounds us. We try our best to respect the environment and teach others how to do the same.  Here are a couple simple things you can do to protect your local waterways.

• Bring a refillable water bottle and ditch (by recycling, please) those one-use bottles that are extremely harmful to our environment. Thanks to a grant from the Tennessee Clean Water Network, we have a water fountain that anyone can use—park-goers or customers—any time we are open. We also sell lightweight, flat pack bottles if you forget your own.

• Be mindful that humans can rarely go anywhere without creating waste. When on the water, that waste can easily end up finding a home on the shore or at the bottom of the lake, causing pollution and potentially deadly harm to wildlife. Think ahead and bring something to hold your waste until you can dispose of it properly.  Bonus points if you collect trash others have left behind.  Nashville Paddle Co. has a stack of river clean-up bags given to us by our friends at TWRA. They’re mesh, so they keep the trash in the bag, but let the water run out, so they don’t get heavy. Ask our staff for one the next time you paddle. Bring it back filled with trash from the shore or the water, and we’ll give you a code for 10% off your next class or rental.

• Check your cupboards for harmful chemicals. Cleaning products are released to the environment during normal use through evaporation of volatile components and rinsing down the drain of residual product from cleaned surfaces, sponges, etc.  Check out some greener alternatives by visiting the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website.

• Support organizations that are putting in the work. We donate a portion of our proceeds to the Cumberland River Compact and other organizations in an effort to protect our local waterways. These non-profits don’t just need dollars, they need volunteers. Do a quick Google search to find ways you can help in your area.

• Educate yourself. Once we know better, we do better, but there is SO much to learn and that can be overwhelming. EarthDay.org can help focus your efforts and spotlight what’s important.