Nature Season 6 Episode 21 Tom's River: Reflections of a River Keeper

In the season 6 episode 21 of Nature titled "Tom's River: Reflections of a River Keeper," viewers are taken on a journey through the Tom's River in New Jersey with its River Keeper, Bill Schultz. The episode shows how Tom's River has gone through significant changes over the years due to human activities, which have negatively impacted the river's ecosystem.

The river was once home to a thriving shellfish industry, but pollution has led to a significant decline in the shellfish population. The episode explores the causes of this pollution, including chemical runoff from factories and waste from residential areas. Viewers are shown how testing is done to monitor how safe the river water is for consumption and how there are programs to clean up the water.

Throughout the episode, Bill Schultz explains the role of a River Keeper and the actions taken to preserve the river's ecosystem. As a River Keeper, he monitors the river's water quality, patrols the area to identify illegal environmental activities, and advocates for policy changes to protect the environment. In Tom's River, there is a local government entity called Ocean County Soil Conservation District which works towards conserving natural resources and preventing erosion and pollution of the area's soil and streams.

Viewers get a glimpse of the various aspects of Bill's job, including cleaning trash and debris from the river, organizing volunteer clean-up events, and educating the community about the importance of protecting the river. Bill talks about how his passion for conserving the environment has been influenced by his family and how he wants to leave a positive impact on the river for future generations.

The episode also features interviews with various stakeholders involved in preserving Tom's River, including local residents, environmental activists, and scientists. The local residents explain how the river has been a significant part of their lives for generations and how they have seen the river's degradation over the years. They share their concerns about the impact of pollution on the river's ecology and their efforts to promote environmental awareness.

The environmental activists in the episode are shown working to raise awareness about the importance of rivers and the need to preserve them. They discuss the role of policy changes and legal actions in addressing environmental issues and how citizens can make a difference. The scientists shed light on how pollution affects the river's ecology and how monitoring can help in identifying issues and addressing them.

The episode concludes by emphasizing the importance of preserving the river for future generations and how every individual has a role to play in protecting the environment. Through Bill's story and the stories of local residents and activists, viewers gain an understanding of the significance of conservation efforts and the need for policy changes to address environmental challenges.

Overall, "Tom's River: Reflections of a River Keeper" is an engaging and informative show that highlights the importance of conserving rivers and natural resources. Viewers are shown how environmental challenges affect local communities and how individuals can take actions to protect the environment. The show is a great resource for individuals interested in environmental activism or those looking to learn more about conservation efforts.