CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 500-gallon aquarium in the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park now has fish that are native to the Cumberland River. The aquarium was installed in April and was funded by the Wade Bourne Nature Center Foundation.

Katie Netti, Natural Resource and Program Manager for Montgomery County Parks and Recreation, said the tank simulates the Cumberland River and there are 12 fish in the tank. “We have some bluegill, catfish, large mouth bass and black crappie,” Netti said.

Two of the species of fish native to the Cumberland River inside the aquarium at the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park on Oct 9, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Two of the species of fish native to the Cumberland River inside the aquarium at the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park on Oct 9, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Mayor Wes Golden and Rosalind Kurita stand by the aquarium at the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park on Oct 9, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The view of new aquarium from the outside on the deck of the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park on Oct 9, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The view of new aquarium from the outside on the deck of the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park on Oct 9, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Some of the species of fish native to the Cumberland River inside the aquarium at the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park on Oct 9, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Mayor Wes Golden feeds the fish while Rosalind Kurita watches at the new aquarium at the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park on Oct 9, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Mayor Wes Golden watches as Rosalind Kurita feeds the fish the new aquarium at the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park on Oct 9, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
One of the species of fish native to the Cumberland River inside the aquarium at the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park on Oct 9, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

Most of the fish were added to the aquarium on Saturday, and on Monday Netti said they are eating, and active and they are doing really well. Netti said the tank was designed to be able to be viewed both from the outside of the center as well as inside. “Even if the Nature Center is closed, we have the lights on until 9 p.m. when the park is open and you can see them from the deck on the outside,” Netti said.

County Mayor Wes Golden and Rosalind Kurita with the Wade Bourne Nature Center Foundation were on hand Monday to feed the fish.

“This is the perfect time of the year to bring your family out to Rotary Park and enjoy the Nature Center and see the native species of fish,” Kurita said.

Along with the fish in the aquarium, the Nature Center offers many activities and an assortment of other native species like a corn snake, an Eastern box turtle, two green tree frogs, and a green anole, a type of camouflaged lizard.

The Wade Bourne Nature Center Foundation is named in honor of the late Montgomery County outdoor sportswriter and conservationist Wade Bourne. The center offers educational and engagement opportunities for visitors of all ages to learn more about natural history and conservation.

The Wade Bourne Nature Center in Rotary Park is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.