Meet Cash Daniels | Conservationist & aspiring photographer/cinematographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cash Daniels and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cash, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m 14 so it’s interesting to answer this question. My parents always allowed to follow my interested and explore my passions. I always loved visiting zoos and particularly aquariums. After showing a more than normal interest, my parents took me to an Arapaima lecture where I asked questions that apparently seemed above my age level. I would study and read books about fish and rivers, I would watch documentary after documentary. Rivers and oceans were the thing I was always drawn to. My parents bought me my first kayak when I was 6. I loved being on the water and outdoors any chance I got. When I was 7, we were on a family beach cation and I saw trash all over the beach right after seeing sea turtles and rays from a pier. This was the moment I realized, I couldn’t wait on someone to fix these problems. I was someone and I could do something about it. Again, my parents let me follow my interests and I started river cleanups at the age of 7. Now I have removed over 30,000 pounds of trash from the Tennessee River. I have started recycling programs, am a frequent public speaker, I meet with government officials and so much more. Having a drive and a passion that I was allowed to explore really made the impact I have had possible. I want to keep doing what I love and changing the world for the better. I want to be a conservation filmmaker/cinematographer when I’m older. I have met some amazing people in this field and had my first mini-documentary done this year. Seeing the process and learning about production was so fun and definitely something I want to pursue.
My parent found a SCUBA instructor, and I was certified at the age of 10. The average age to be certified is 29. I believe getting an early start at these interests and things I love can only help my career. I want other young people to know, their dreams are worth chasing. Kids may be a small part of the population, but we are 100% of the future.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being only 14, it’s funny to reflect on my activities as a “profession” but it has become that and I don’t plan to change anytime soon. My main focus is freshwater ecosystems, primarily as it relates to pollution, specifically microplastics. When I started my cleanups at age 7, I learned the Tennessee River had tested higher for microplastics than any other river tested in the world. Seven years later, this is no longer the case, not because our river is that much healthier, I believe, it’s because other rivers have now been tested. At 9 I started placing monofilament bins to collect fishing line. This was something that had been overlooked in our freshwater streams, creeks and rivers. Tennessee is home to many large fishing tournaments as well as recreational fishing opportunities. I saw this as a place we could improve fairly easily statewide. As of now I have over 140 bins, not just in Tennessee but this program has spread to Michigan, Florida and soon Georgia. Proof kids have great ideas when we are allowed to challenge ourselves and come up with ideas.
This wa so easy feat. I started my work at the age of 7. I had many people tell me I couldn’t create real change. I kept pushing forward and met with people who saw the potential my ideas carried.
I also had many people believe in me. I have had some incredible opportunities such as being on the Kelly Clarkson Show, I went to the Kids Choice Awards, & I was in Time Magazine. I have met so many amazing people in the field of conservation like Forrest Galante and Sylvia Earle. I have been diving with Tiger sharks, and led a letter writing campaign to save sharks in Costa Rica. All of this because an adult somewhere believed in the voice and power of a kid!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh this is a hard one. I would definitely hit the zoo! The aquarium restaurant is also at the top of the list. Strangely enough, I love visiting the capitol and spending time with officials who truly care about what I have to say like the Commissioner of TDEC, Commissioner Salyers, as well as my state representative, Greg Vital. (And they always have really good snacks in their office!) I love Capitol Hill. It’s so pretty. I am always up for a hike or a paddle along the river. My dad is a huge football fan so maybe a Titans game. A MUST is the Johnny Cash Museum! I was named after him, so we visit almost every time we are in Nashville. Being named after such a humble yet influential leader of his time, those are some pretty big boots to fill but I’m trying my best!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents, Shaun & Erin Daniels, who have always allowed me to follow my dreams.

Jim Abernethy who has invested an incredible amount of time into me and my love of all things Ocean. Jim took me on my first shark dives and that’s an experience I will never forget. He also has taught (and continues to teach) me all about photography and conservation.

Website: Theconservationkid.com

Instagram: instagram.com/Theconservationkid

Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/TheCleanupKids

Facebook: Facebook.com/theconservationkid