鈥淚 learned that Louisville has a lot of dirty water.鈥
That鈥檚 what UofL freshman Cossondra Green observed from a canoe trip down the Ohio River and Beargrass Creek.
Green was one of a handful of UofL newcomers interested in environmental and sustainability issues who took part in a recent paddling tour.
鈥淲hat we鈥檙e introducing them to is the fact that we鈥檙e on the third largest river in the United States and so we鈥檙e going to acquaint them with the river and what goes on at the river and a little bit about the water quality of the river,鈥 said Russ Barnett, instructor for the environment and sustainable development.
As part of the tour, UofL students had the opportunity to learn about all the problems and environmental changes that have affected the Ohio River and Beargrass Creek due to pollution.
鈥淭he older generations kind of looks at the whole climate thing and saving the plant and the dirt and the trash in the waterways as a political thing for some reason,鈥 said Madelynn Bland, one of the freshmen on the trip. 鈥淚 think the younger generation looks at it as a necessity.”
Barnett says he鈥檚 seen an increase in students interested in the environment which prompted UofL to offer a sustainability degree.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping that they, as well as other students at the University of Louisville, will be interested in Louisville鈥檚 environmental conditions and study them and understand them and propose solutions to some of the problems we have,鈥 he said.
Check out more from the tour here:聽
