Altamaha Riverkeeper Celebrates Seven Years of Watershed Protection
The Altamaha Riverkeeper is helping hundreds of Georgians with water quality problems. A story of progress and challenges in the state's largest watershed.
(PRWEB) September 14, 2006 -- The Altamaha Riverkeeper’s mission to protect the Altamaha River Watershed, Georgia’s largest, is a huge challenge. The river system covers 14,000 square miles and includes the Ocmulgee, Oconee and Ohoopee rivers.
When the Altamaha Riverkeeper www.altamahariverkeeper.org began, the riverkeeper had no way of knowing the volume of requests for help with pollution that would come pouring in from citizens throughout the watershed. Since 1999, the Altamaha Riverkeeper (ARK) has made over 800 site visits and is adding daily to that number to assist citizens with water quality problems.
Many of the citizens ARK has helped are attending the Altamaha Riverkeeper’s annual celebration in Hawkinsville on September 23. The event is an opportunity to share the successes and challenges of the organization that grew from a small group of people in the coastal fishing village of Darien to an organization with over 1,200 members working to unite Georgians for a healthy watershed.
“When citizens need help with water pollution, they call on the Altamaha Riverkeeper. ARK documents problems, reports them to local, state, and federal agencies, and works with the agencies to enforce water quality laws. With our assistance, people are getting involved in monitoring our natural resources and reporting problems,” says James Holland, the Altamaha Riverkeeper. “ Increasing pollution is generating extensive media coverage and making the public aware of the growing problems in our watershed.”
The Altamaha Riverkeeper is also getting the attention of environmental enforcement agencies. Through its proactive attack on pollution, ARK’s work has supported five successful Clean Water Act cases leading to improved water quality in Georgia.
ARK’s work also includes outreach and advocacy to teach the importance of healthy water quality. Using extensive photographic and video documentation, Riverkeeper Holland captures the watershed’s wildlife, flowers, fauna, and the devastating effect of water pollution. Holland has given over 350 educational presentations to schools, clubs, government groups and churches.
The Altamaha Riverkeeper is receiving state and national recognition.
Recognition includes:
*2006 - 100 Most Influential Georgians – James Holland - awarded by Georgia Trend Magazine
*2006- Conservationist of the Year - Wendell Berryhill, ARK volunteer - awarded by Budweiser and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
*2005 - Citizen Hero – James Holland - awarded by Atlanta Constitution and Georgia First Amendment Foundation
*2005 - River Conservationist of the Year – James Holland - awarded by the Georgia River Network
*2001 - Recognition of Outstanding Achievement – Altamaha Riverkeeper - awarded by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
*2001 - In Recognition of Outstanding Contribution – Altamaha Riverkeeper -awarded by Garden Club of Georgia
*2001 - Water Conservationist of the Year – James Holland - awarded by Georgia Wildlife Federation
*2001 - Excellence Award, Volunteer of the Year – James Holland - awarded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Altamaha Riverkeeper is working in a watershed that contains one of the fastest growing populations in the Southeast, where thousands of residents depend on the rivers for recreation, food and drinking water. The watershed also provides a habitat for more than 120 species of rare or endangered plants and animals -- the largest documented cluster of globally imperiled plants and animals in any Georgia watershed.
The watershed includes some of the South's last remaining cypress swamps, forested wetlands and tidal marshes. Wetlands improve water quality and offer priceless benefits such as providing fish and wildlife habitat, storing floodwaters and allowing for ground water recharge. However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, despite all the benefits, the U.S. loses about 60,000 acres of wetlands a year.
ARK’s Director Deborah Sheppard says, “We have accomplished a lot in the last seven years but to keep up with the increasing pollution ARK is expanding protection on the watershed’s estuary and coast with a new Coastkeeper. We are raising funds for the new position; our work depends upon public support to protect our natural resources.”
The Altamaha Riverkeeper is sponsoring several upcoming events:
7th Annual Membership Celebration
Saturday, September 23, 12 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Hawkinsville on the Ocmulgee River
Inconvenient Truth/ Global warming documentary by Al Gore
Thursday, October 5, at 7 p.m.;
Ida Hilton Library in Darien
River Clean-Up on the Altamaha in McIntosh County
Saturday, November 4
Volunteers meet at 8 a.m. at Two Way Marina, Highway 17, approximately 3-4 miles south of Darien. Lunch for volunteers will be provided after the clean-up.
Learn more about ARK’s work at www.altmahariverkeeper.org
Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online or mailed to Altamaha Riverkeeper, P.O. Box 2642, Darien, GA 31305. The Malcolm Fraser Foundation will match the amount of all donations allowing supporters to double the value of their contributions.
Altamaha RIVERKEEPER
P.O. Box 2642
Darien, Georgia 31305
www.altamahariverkeeper.org
Contact: Constance Riggins
912-437-8164
###
|
