The Vol Navy has been a key UT tradition for more than 50 years, brightening up the Tennessee River waterfront during home football weekends.
Now, a different kind of Volunteer spirit is taking care of the water upon which the boats rely.
The “Hyrdolunteers” were formed in 2015 as a way for students from varying backgrounds to come together to better understand, protect, and preserve water resources in East Tennessee.
“The main goal of our organization is to encourage collaboration between students with common interests in all things related to water and the environment,” said Brandy Manka, a recent graduate of civil and environmental engineering in the Tickle College of Engineering who is now an undergraduate research assistant in the department.