Business or Biodiversity? Reimagining an Urban Island as a Living Lab

Maclellan Island, in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, is overrun with invasive species. Our goal at Chattanooga Audubon Society is to "rewild" the island and restore it to native habitat. One large problem: Our small nonprofit needs money. Is there a way we can activate the island in an economically viable way while also restoring species? Can business and biodiversity co-exist? Enter Laura Marsh, a bold visionary with a great idea. What if we study how these changes on Maclellan Island affect species biodiversity over a 10+ year stretch? We can track ecosystem changes in real time as we rewild and reimagine the island, blending conservation and commerce. ...