The Coosa River Basin Initiative will host a snorkel trip on the Conasauga River near Chatsworth this Saturday, Aug. 25, to kick off Amos’ Odyssey, a three-week, 200-mile canoe trip being undertaken by CRBI Program Coordinator Amos Tuck.

The snorkel will be held in the Cherokee National Forest from 2-4 p.m. at a spot known as the “Snorkel Hole.” Seventy different species of fish have been identified in this one small stretch of river. Participants will have the opportunity to observe many of the Coosa Basin’s rare fish species in their natural habitat.

The trip is limited to the first 20 registrants; snorkel equipment will be provided. The trip is free, but donations to CRBI are encouraged. Interested parties can register for the trip at www.coosa.org/events/amos-odyssey

“The Conasauga River in the Cherokee National Forest runs clear and clean so the visibility in these waters is perfect for observing fish,” Tuck said. “You’ll get to see the diversity of wildlife that is usually hidden from view.”

The purpose of “Amos’ Odyssey” is to raise awareness about the outstanding aquatic biodiversity of the Upper Coosa River Basin. The Upper Coosa is considered North America’s most biologically diverse river basin, harboring 30 species of fish, mussels, snails and crayfish that are not found any where else in the world.

A graduate of the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources specializing in freshwater fishes, Tuck will document many of these species as he hikes and canoes down the Conasauga, Oostanaula and Coosa rivers. During the trip, Tuck will post reports, including photos and videos, on CRBI’s Musselhead Blog: www.coosa.wordpress.com. Additionally, the Rome News-Tribune, Calhoun Times and Dalton Daily Citizen newspapers will run regular reports online and in print editions.

Canoe and kayak trips to join Tuck during his trip are also planned for Sept. 2 on the Conasauga and Sept. 9 on the Oostanaula. Additional information about these events can

be found at www.coosa.org.

In addition to educating the public about the Coosa’s biodiversity, CRBI expects to raise $5,000 during the three-week event. Those making membership donations during the event will receive raffle tickets to win a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 kayak from Cedar Creek Park. Supporters can make donations at Amos’s Odyssey fundraising page: http://www.firstgiving.com/coosa/amos-odessey

CRBI is a 501c3 non-profit organization with the mission of informing and empowering citizens to protect, preserve and restore North America’s most biologically diverse river.

Click here to read additional press releases on RN-T.com.