Chattanooga’s Maclellan Island is set to become a more accessible destination beginning this summer.
The Chattanooga Audubon Society, which serves as steward of the island property, is partnering with the Chattanooga Riverboat Co. to launch ecotours to one of the city’s more unique green spaces. Tours are set to begin June 20 and continue on select Saturdays in June, July, September and October, departing from the Southern Belle’s dock at 151 Riverfront Parkway.
Tickets cost $45 for ages 13 and older, $35 for ages 3-12 and $6 for those ages 2 and under. A portion of the proceeds supports the Audubon Society and its conservation work on the island.
“We’re hoping if we get people out there, they’ll become advocates for the protection of the island,” Chattanooga Audubon Society Executive Director Jim Stewart said by phone. “We find once we get somebody out there, they understand why we’re trying hard to protect it.”
Situated in the middle of the Tennessee River between Chattanooga’s North Shore and downtown riverfront districts, Maclellan Island is staring down a double barrel of issues. Invasive plant species have overtaken much of the island, and its shoreline has been eroding at a rate of about an acre per decade.
Up to 50 passengers can take a boat ride to the island and then go on a one-hour guided tour of the property, highlighting its history and ecosystem, according to the riverboat company’s website. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet the island’s nationally recognized team of goats. The Audubon Society employed the goats to address the island’s invasive plant problem.
For more information, visit chattanoogaaudubon.org or chattanoogariverboat.com.
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Contact outdoors reporter Sam Still at sstill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6579.
