Young Change Makers: Why and How Cash Daniels Is Helping To Change Our World
Go for it! You never know what will happen. When I was 7, I never thought my little effort would turn into this huge impact. I have been given some incredible opportunities that I could only have ever dreamed of before. If you’re trying to do something good and you fail, that’s ok. At least you tried to make something better. Anyone can do what’s easy and not care about creating change, it takes courage to do something different. Imagine if we all did something small and the impact it would make if we joined together for the greater good! A small ripple can creat a tidal wave of change.
As part of my series about young people who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Cash Daniels.
Cash Daniels, also known as “The Conservation Kid,” is an environmental activist from Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is recognized for his efforts in promoting environmental awareness and conservation, particularly focusing on reducing pollution in rivers and waterways. Cash has been involved in various cleanup initiatives, and he uses social media platforms to educate and inspire others to take action in protecting the environment. His work has gained attention both locally and nationally, making him a prominent figure among young environmental advocates. Most recently, Cash was awarded the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up close to the banks of the Tennessee River. I have always loved water, the winding rivers and the vast ocean. I have spent so many days kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming and hiking on the waters close to my home.
Ever since I can remember, I had a fascination with animals and wildlife, but specifically aquatic ecosystems. I have amazing parents who always allowed me to pursue my interests and learn new things. I remember watching nature documentaries with my family constantly. I also enjoy things other kids do. I play the occasional video game with my little brother. I also love traveling with my family. I love to travel so I can experience new things and meet new people. My goal is to visit all 50 states before I graduate High School.
Is there a particular book or organization that made a significant impact on you growing up? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
A book I still love to this day is Photo Ark, by Joel Sartore as well as Sharks Up Close by Jim Abernethy. These books with absolutely stunning photography made me fall in love with animals around the world. These were animals I may never see with my own eyes but having a small glimpse of wildlife around the globe truly made me want to explore, travel and see the world in a new way, I want to appreciate the wildlife we have been given and I want to protect it. Sharks specifically, as they are generally portrayed in a negative light. Jim Abernehty is an incredible conservationist and shark diver and I have been blessed enough to go SCUBA diving with him to see Tiger sharks in their natural habitat and it was such an incredible experience I will never forget. These animals are so misunderstood and Jim is using his voice and experience to change that and I want to be able to do the same.
How do you define “Making A Difference”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Making a Difference can be so many things. It can be big or small. Everyone can make a difference and I think that’s what I want people to know, Especially kids and young people. I started getting into conservation when I was 7. I want kids to know you’re never too young, or too small to make a big difference. I started just by researching the issues that meant the most to me. I knew river conservation was happening around me so what could I possibly do?. Sometimes it’s youth that see things in a different way to create change that may commonly be overlooked. I want kids to know that we may be a small part of the population but we are 100% of the future and we can change the world. Take something you care about and make it better. That could be marine ecosystems, or addressing bullying in your school or saving an animal halfway around the world just by creating videos or a campaign. You could donate to animal shelters or address homelessness. You can’t wait on “someone” to fix the issues, You are someone and it starts with you.
Ok super. Let’s now jump to the main part of our interview. You are currently leading an organization that aims to make a social impact. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?
I host monthly trash clean ups along the Tennessee River in the Chattanooga area involving numerous organizations. Because there are more than five million people dependent on this river for drinking water, these cleanups are vital for the health of this freshwater source. My clean up efforts have removed more than forty-five thousand pounds of trash from these waterways. Working with local businesses, I have collected and recycled over two tons of aluminum. I often speak with business, civic and political leaders regarding the importance of recycling and other conservation efforts. I thoroughly enjoy speaking with school children about the impact each individual can have regardless of age.
I work with the Tennessee State Parks to place fishing line bins along our waterways to reduce and prevent wildlife entanglement as there are more than 300,000 birds entangled in fishing line annually. Improperly discarded fishing gear is the number one killer of sea turtles yearly. To address this, I have placed over 150 fishing line bins in thirty state parks and other boat ramps across Tennessee. This campaign has now spread to Florida, Georgia, and Michigan. This collected fishing line is melted down and made into fish habitats. Now something that could potentially harm our freshwater ecosystems and wildlife, is now giving back to improve it. To date, I have recycled over 2,000 miles of fishing line.
We cannot live and flourish without freshwater. We cannot live without healthy freshwater, PERIOD. Every living being is directly affected but our rivers and oceans. The ocean provides the planet with over 70% of the oxygen we desperately rely on for life as we know it. The ocean is also a huge carbon sink. The rate climate change is going, we can no longer ignore the importance of water on the globe. Less than three percent of all water on Earth is freshwater and two percent of that is locked underground or in ice caps. Freshwater is vital to all life and it can no longer be taken for granted as an unlimited resource. It’s my organization’s goal to spread awareness and educate others.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
I was always drawn to aquatic animals. I remember spending hour after hour at my local aquarium almost entranced in the beauty of these animals. There was one exhibit that showed polluted waters and how these animals live in human trash. This was the tipping point for me. These animals have no voice, they can’t speak for themselves and they can’t throw our trash back on land. They are stuck living in filth to no fault of their own. At this exhibit, I heard people how terrible it was, or that someone should do something about this problem. I knew right then and there I am someone and I can make a difference. I no longer wanted to talk about these issues but take action instead. I rolled up my pants literally, put on some boots and off to the muddy banks of the Tennessee River I went!
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. We don’t always get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
I have always been fascinated by marine life so when I went on a family vacation when I was seven, I found straws and other trash on the beach. That same day I saw a sea turtle and manta ray from the pier. I knew that the same trash I had just seen could negatively impact those beautiful sea creatures. This was my Aha Moment! This was the day the path of my life was set.
Leaving the beach and returning home to a landlocked state was an odd feeling of hopelessness. How could I do anything from Tennessee? Then, I learned about how polluted and compromised our freshwater ecosystems are. I knew then, I could do something. I have often heard others say they are waiting on someone to fix a problem. At that moment, I realized I was that someone! I refused to sit back and complain, but took action instead.
Many young people don’t know the steps to take to start a new organization. But you did. What are some of the things or steps you took to get your project started?
- Ask an adult for help! Sometimes kids and youth are limited in what we are able to do just because of age. I know the simple things that adults take for granted can be hard as a young person. I started at age 7. At that age, I didn’t know how to create a website or make an email account. So many things I couldn’t do but having a trustworthy adult is priceless.
- Talk to other organizations and speak with people in the field you’re interested in. Also, research, research, research! There are so many things to learn when first getting started. Don’t think you know everything, you can always learn and expand your knowledge.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
Leading Cleanups is always an interesting and unique experience. I have found so many random things that float around our waterways, sometimes for years! I have found money, laptops, wallets, you name it, I;ve found it. The most creepy thing I have found is an old doll head, with no eyes and a washed away pale color with no hari left on its head. It was so crazy and yes, I kept it!
I’ve also been able to meet some incredible people on this journey. I met Jason Mamoa when I was on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I met Rob Gronkowski when filming with Nickelodeon for Time Magazine. Meeting Forest Galante was also a highlight as he is one of my favorite wildlife conservationists. His work with highly endangered species is incredible.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson or take away you learned from that?
I started this work at the age of 7. I’m sure I’ve made a lot of mistakes but we can’t learn if we don’t make mistakes. Probably the biggest mistake I made was thinking this issue was something I could fix. When I started cleanups, I thought it would be an easy fix for a kid to pick up trash and be done. I didn’t realize when I started the problems I would learn about would be so deep and way beyond the capabilities of a kid. I started focusing solely on trash in the river. That led me to learn about microplastics, and how polluted all waterways are. The more I learned, the more I knew I could do. I learned about PFAS, a group of synthetic chemicals that are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment. Broadening your knowledge on different areas is something I learned that is so important.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
The primary people who invested in me are my parents. They always heard my ideas and helped me brainstorm. My parents always tried to help me navigate new things and try to find the best ways to share my story. They also helped me learn that every opportunity isn’t the right opportunity. Sometimes it’s ok to say no. Don’t sell yourself short. I know some parents would not have seen this as a career path at such a young age but my parents never tried to change my path but instead have helped me blaze a trail of my own.
My parents didn’t recycle, they didn’t pick up trash on every walk, but times change! After sharing my thoughts with them and researching together, our family now recycles everything possible. This has spread to my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc..
I have a great friend, Jim Abernethy, who’s an incredible conservationist. He has always seen potential, not just in me, but all young people in conservation. It’s people like this, who are older, with a lot of wisdom that help guide us and help navigate these new ideas.
Without saying specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
Kids and youth can’t vote but being involved in politics is something I have engaged in since a young age. My state representative has been such a help not only assisting and showing up for cleanups but has taken me to the capitol and met so many leaders across my state. This individual has truly helped me navigate how politics and government works and how I can work with them to address issues our state faces. I have now worked with Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation as well as Tennessee State Parks on several projects all because one person saw the value a single child can have. I don’t know where I would be without this person investing in me.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
ABSOLUTELY!
Community is one of my biggest resources. I host monthly river cleanups and have been doing news interviews since the age of 8 sharing my story and getting the word out is so important. Seeing the community come together and show up to pick up trash is the best! Once people are in the river, they see they waste and trash while getting their hands dirty, they not only see the issue but they feel it, not only with their hands but their hearts and minds. Once you see these issues, they can no longer be ignored.
I try to address waste, primarily plastics as it pertains to water conservation. This can be addressed by society as well as politicians. Society needs to realize every single cent we spend matters. If we stop purchasing things that negatively affect our environment, we can make an impact. Money talks and we need to remember that every single day.
Politicians can help by changing or creating policies that protect our water and land. I have actually worked closely with politicians in the great state of Tennessee on many different occasions. Youth may not be able to vote but we have influence. Our voices matter. I have met with many different politicians across my state and visited my state’s capitol on several occasions. It’s always funny to me that some people don’t realize kids are out creating change. Some people tell kids to not worry, that these are adult issues. Working with politicians, I have seen that some of them think very differently. When a kid shows up in their office at the state capitol, they do listen. They are interested that a child is speaking up. They show their true appreciation and respect.
Fantastic. Here is the main question of the interview. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? (Please share a story or example for each).
1. The Importance of Community Engagement: I wish someone had emphasized how crucial it is to involve the local community in conservation efforts. Understanding their needs, perspectives, and traditional knowledge can significantly enhance the success and sustainability of conservation projects. One person can’t change their community on their own but they can start hopefully, their community will rally behind them and also join in to make a change as it relates to them. It doesn’t take everyone caring about the same environmental issue, but rather different people doing their own activities, awareness and education to make a ripple effect that spreads across a community and makes an impact that is more global in nature rather than one specific issue that can only create a limited amount of change.
2. The Complexity of Ecosystems: I underestimated the complexity of ecosystems and the interconnectedness of species. Each action in conservation can have ripple effects, so a deep understanding of ecological relationships is essential for effective decision-making. We need to understand how one act affects another and how everything is interconnected. While I generally focus on river ecosystems, our lands as oceans cannot be overlooked or ignored.
3. The Role of Policy and Legislation: I didn’t initially realize how much conservation work is influenced by policy and legislation. Knowing how to navigate legal frameworks and advocate for supportive policies can be just as important as fieldwork. I have been very blessed to work with some incredible politicians and lawmakers. Even though I can’t vote, I can make my voice heard, and my opinions matter.
4. The Value of Interdisciplinary Approaches: I wish I had known conservation isn’t just about biology or environmental science. It also involves economics, cultural appreciation, sociology, and politics. An interdisciplinary approach can lead to more comprehensive and lasting solutions. We need people in all fields to address the issues our planet faces. Working together is the best way to create real change that is valuable and beneficial to everyone.
5. The Reality of Funding and Resources: I was surprised by how much time and effort go into securing funding and resources for conservation projects. Understanding how to write grants, manage budgets, and build partnerships is crucial for sustaining efforts over the long term. This is something my parents have helped me with the most. I have received several grants and awards that came with a monetary value and as a kid who can’t work a normal 9–5, these have been invaluable. My parents could not have funded all of my projects and activities. They work hard enough driving me places and managing my schedule and it’s not fair to ask them to fund everything I need. Things like The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes are so important for youth like me and so many more who desperately need this funding.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
Go for it! You never know what will happen. When I was 7, I never thought my little effort would turn into this huge impact. I have been given some incredible opportunities that I could only have ever dreamed of before. If you’re trying to do something good and you fail, that’s ok. At least you tried to make something better. Anyone can do what’s easy and not care about creating change, it takes courage to do something different. Imagine if we all did something small and the impact it would make if we joined together for the greater good! A small ripple can creat a tidal wave of change.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
If I could go to lunch with anybody in the world, I would definitely say David Attenborough, or Jane Goodall. These amazing conservationists and activists have always inspired me to invest my time to change the world. They began their journeys so many years ago and to be able to sit down with them and hear their stories would be absolutely incredible.
Someone in the US would be Sylvia Earle. She has always been so outspoken about the importance of our oceans. She is truly an inspiration to me. Also Jason Mamoa! Seeing a Hollywood actor stepping up and creating change in such a positive way is so heartwarming. The fact he loves and respects the ocean as much as or more than I do, I would LOVE to just hang out with him for an hour. I also know he loves photography as I do, we could just hang out and take some pictures. That would be a day to remember.
How can our readers follow you online?
IG and Facebook: TheConservationKid
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
