KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Jake Davis, Tennessee B.A.S.S. conservation director and assistant director for High School/Youth, was among the winners in the first Ripple Effect Awards sponsored by Yamaha Rightwaters and coordinated through Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTRB).
Davis, known as “Captain Jake” by the young anglers and others who supported his nomination, received the Beacon Award, which “seeks to recognize a person whose long-term efforts have made a signification, positive, and lasting impact for the Tennessee River.”
During his nearly five years of leadership in the complementary positions, Davis “has tirelessly dedicated thousands of hours organizing, working for and promoting habitat restoration and lake clean-up events, and educating anglers, young and old, on the health of the Tennessee River ecosystem,” said those who nominated him.
With his guidance from 2015 to 2019, B.A.S.S. members of all ages worked with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) staff to construct and place more than 9,000 fish habitat structures in Tims Ford, Woods, Normandy, and J. Percy Priest. They also removed an estimated 20 to 30 tons of trash from Tims Ford, Elk River, Normandy, Priest, Tellico, Watts Barr, Chickamauga and Nickajack.
“I wish I could clone him,” said B.A.S.S. National Conservation Director Gene Gilliland. “Jake is such a take-charge guy, and his commitment to the kids and the resource are second-to-none.”
In explaining his motivation, Davis, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and long-time B.A.S.S. member, said that he wants to see more anglers involved in helping with habitat improvements so that the TWRA can be freed up to devote more attention to other issues, including the threat posed by Asian carp.
“We need to increase angler awareness and participation in fisheries (management) at all levels,” he said. “We need to get professional anglers involved in issues such as habitat and conservation.”
Davis was one of 25 individuals, organizations and companies in four states receiving recognition through the program that Yamaha funded with a $5,000 grant to KTRB, at the recommendation of the Tennessee Valley Authority. For bass anglers, another notable recipient was Wade White, Lyon County Executive Judge in Kentucky, leader of the War on Carp grassroots coalition that has done so much to combat the threat posed by Asian carp to the Tennessee River. He received the Government Official Award for Kentucky.
“We wanted to honor the TVA for the good work that it has done,” said John O’Keefe, senior specialist for government relations at Yamaha in explaining creation of the Ripple Effect Awards. “It asked us to reach out to organizations that it works with.”
Yamaha’s newly formed Rightwaters also gave a grant to the Tennessee Wildlife Federation and donated a boat with engine to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation.
“Yamaha’s Rightwaters is fighting to protect our most precious and essential natural resource – water,” said Martin Peters, Yamaha Marine division manager, government relations. “It will embody all of our company’s conservation initiatives, as well as become a platform for many plans the company has in store to improve water resources.”
Efforts will be directed at improving habitat, controlling invasive species, supporting scientific research and removing trash and other debris, he added.
With recognition recently given to Davis and others, Yamaha and KTRB hope to inspire more activism.
“The goal of the first Tennessee River Ripple Effect Awards presented by Yamaha Rightwaters is to recognize the many individuals, groups, companies, and organizations that work hard to improve and protect the Tennessee River and its tributaries,” said Kathleen Gibi, KTRB executive director.
“This work often goes unsung, and we want to help celebrate the good stewards … It’s our hope that sharing these success stories will motivate more Tennessee River Valley community members to take action for the Tennessee River, creating a ripple effect through our river communities.”
Award presentations in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama/Mississippi were coordinated with river clean-ups during October, which was “Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful” month. According to Gibi, 171 volunteers removed 22,276 pounds of trash.
Additionally, governors of the four states, along with mayors of Knoxville, Knoxville County, Chattanooga and Guntersville issued proclamations acknowledging the month and encouraging participation.
“We’re grateful to these elected officials for making public proclamations about the importance of our river,” Gibi said. “We saw firsthand over the last month how statements from the leaders of our communities can ignite action at many different levels.”
