Author: Ogeechee Riverkeeper

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Meet Carly

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper November 15, 2023

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) is responsible for approximately 5,500 square miles of territory in Georgia. It’s a lot of ground to cover. And when the upper, largely rural part of the watershed began to face increasing pressure from industrial expansion and dangerous agricultural practices, ORK hired someone to be based specifically in the upper watershed. Carly Nielsen answered the call, and now she brings together community members looking to protect their rural way of life.

Carly (left) with riverkeeper Damon collecting water samples

When people ask what an upper watershed representative for a waterkeeper is, she has a number of answers. “I tell people I work for a nonprofit environmental organization that encompasses the entire Ogeechee River basin, but I have seven counties that I focus on in Middle Georgia, in the northern part of our basin,” she begins. “I explain that we monitor water quality, investigate water quality concerns, educate the public about the environment and especially our basin, and organize communities to protect their water resources.”

Her skills and tasks are wide-ranging, but she enjoys the variety. Some might be daunted by taking on a position that has never existed before. Carly relished it. “I have really gotten to mold this role into what I wanted it to be, so I feel like I have found a perfect balance between getting out into the communities and making sure they know I’m here for them, and sitting at home on my laptop doing research and applying for grants.”

“Meteora [Greece] was a priority for me because I wanted to visit the Orthodox monasteries. I met a couple of other people traveling solo, and we hiked up the mountain together to explore the caves and watch the sunset.”
Carly’s many previous hats include an assistant volunteer coordinator for Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, a soil conservationist with Natural Resources Conservation Service, a park ranger at Wormsloe Historic Site, a natural resources intern at Fort Pulaski, and an oyster conservation coordinator at Brevard Zoo.

Although she wasn’t sure exactly where she’d end up, she knew she wanted to work on environmental projects. “I’ve known I wanted to be an environmental scientist since I was a senior in high school, but I got very lucky with this job. I get to travel around Georgia, meet new people, learn about them and their communities, attend their county commissioners meetings and be involved in the communities.”

Carly and pilot John get ready to inspect the river from the air

The variety of jobs and internships has been important, and she encourages others who want to work in the field to do the same. “Volunteer – a lot. Apply for internships. The field of environmental science is vast.” These give one a chance to discover if they prefer lab work, field work, or research. Dabble in air quality, water quality, soils, plants, animals, and insects. “There’s so many decisions to make when you’re trying to decide what you want to be your specialty. So try a little bit of everything.”

–—

What is your idea of happiness?

  • Nowhere to go, nothing to do, just enjoying where you are with who you are with.

What is your favorite bird?

  • Painted bunting (pretty) and wood storks (creepy).

What is your most treasured possession?

  • My horse pillow my sister gave me when we were little. His name is Charlie. Charlie Horse.

What is the dumbest way you’ve been hurt?

  • My dad took me, my sister, and our friends to the driving range when we were kids, and my friend didn’t realize I was standing behind her when she went to swing at the ball and I got hit in the head.

What’s the best type of cheese for you?

  • Gouda.

What’s the worst color that was ever invented?

  • Pink.

Which talent would you most like to have?

  • I really wish I could draw or paint or do something artistic.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

  • Humility. You’re amazing and you deserve to tell everyone that.

What takes a lot of time but is totally worth it?

  • Driving to see my family.

What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation?

  • Oysters.

What’s the most amazing natural occurrence you’ve witnessed?

  • The sunset over the “floating mountains” of Meteora, Greece. I was studying landscape architecture, ceramics, and jewelry making abroad in Italy one summer and decided to spend a couple weeks visiting Greece and Cyprus as well, and I traveled all over Greece. Meteora was a priority for me because I wanted to visit the Orthodox monasteries. I met a couple of other people traveling solo, and we hiked up the mountain together to explore the caves and watch the sunset.

What is your motto?

  • “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” I try to apply this to everything I do. Everything could be better and I want to contribute to making it better.

 

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RELEASE: Flooding Survey Released

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper September 27, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09/27/2023
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

CITIZENS ENCOURAGED TO REPORT FLOODING WITH NEW TOOL
Organizations are trying to collect data on changing water patterns 

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has developed a survey tool for citizens to report flooding connected to increased development in coastal Georgia counties. The tool will help area organizations track changes in water incursion in the area. These changes include tidal flooding, overflowing canals, non-draining rainwater or stormwater, and more. The survey also includes prompts for site photos as well as a map to pinpoint the problem location. Citizens can report issues at public, private, residential, or commercial property. 

ORK and Savannah Riverkeeper (SRK) are leading the data collection of the survey. One Hundred Miles (OHM) is also interested in tracking patterns of flooding incidents. A shared concern of all the advocacy groups involved is the amount of concrete that accompanies such rapid development and the resultant flooding experienced by neighboring communities. 

Riverkeepers work to protect water quality at all stages of the water cycle. When water washes over roadways or parking lots, for example, it can compromise water quality. Salt water from higher tides can affect the ecology of freshwater habitats. Overflowing canals can carry water, nutrients, and contaminants from new areas. All of these scenarios are ones to monitor. 

This survey will use crowdsourced reports to monitor localized flooding after rain events. The goal is to document flood events to aid in public comments and improve developmental planning.

View the survey: https://arcg.is/1WXC9O1

About Ogeechee Riverkeeper: Ogeechee Riverkeeper 501(c)(3) works to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. The Canoochee River is about 108 miles long and the Ogeechee River itself is approximately 245 miles long. The Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,500 square miles across 21 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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Electrofishing

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper September 25, 2023

September has been a very eventful month for my research. This month we began the fish community assessment for my study! The location near Highway 301 posed an accessabilty issue for the our electrofishing boat, so we adjusted to the Oliver boat ramp. Electrofishing and the process is less scary than it sounds.

Electrofishing is a process that uses electrotaxis, which is a method that temporarily stuns the fish for capture. This process and recovery is easy for the fish. Researchers follow strict safety procedures when on the boat because there is an electrical current. The fish are netted and put in to an aerated live well and observed closely for recovery. Most fish recover within seconds of being put in to the live well. The fish are later identified, measured, and counted for the study. No fish are harmed or kept during this study.

For this project, we collected a wide variety of fishes. One common fish we caught was Bowfin. Bowfin are obligate air breathers, meaning that they can also breath oxygen from the surface when needed. They have a large gular plate on their chin that looks like a triangle-shape. Many of these characteristics are considered “primitive” because they are characteristics that closely relate to ancestor fishes that are long extinct. Bowfin are paired nesters and the male helps by building and guarding the eggs and young. These fish are only found in North America.

Another group of fish only found in North and upper South America are the gar. We found two different gar species on our survey, Longnose Gar and Florida Gar. Gar are also considered “primitive” fishes. Gar are one of my favorite fishes in this area because of their curiosity and relaxed nature. We often find gar watching near the surface while in the boat. They do have long, sharp teeth that can cause lacerations if improperly handled.

Molly holds an eel

Another special fish I found while traversing the Ogeechee River was the American Eel. Yes, eels are also fish! The American Eel is a catadromous fish, which means it lives in rivers as adults, but heads out to the sea to spawn. American Eels only spawn in the Sargasso Sea. The IUCN Red List marks American Eels as endangered and these species should be treated with care. Eels can easily get trapped in crayfish traps and other lines that stay in the water for extended periods of time.

Molly holds a gar

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Meet Kris

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper August 23, 2023

Kris Howard describes his job as the Ogeechee River watchdog. “Much of what I do is based on sampling and monitoring the river and its tributaries to ensure the water quality is where it needs to be.” And if it’s not, he follows the proper channels to find out why and does what he can to get it resolved.

Diving in Belize

Kris is originally from Augusta, Georgia. As a kid, he spent time outdoors and fostered a natural curiosity that led him pursuing a career in science. With fishing being his favorite pastime he was always interested in why fish do the things they do.  His interest in fish and science came to a head in his first science fair in 3rd grade where he did a project on which bait caught the most catfish. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in marine science from Thomas More University in Kentucky. After graduation he accepted a position as a biologist for a pollution control agency in Ohio. Never one to shy away from an adventure, he also spent some time in the Bering Sea as a fisheries observer in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. 

As an observer, Kris lived aboard a commercial fishing vessel for 3-month segments sampling the catch and conducting research projects.  When sampling catch, Kris would take random samples from the main net weighing, sexing, counting, and identifying fish.  The time he spent in the Bering Sea was an exciting experience where he was able to see so much wildlife like Orcas, bald eagles, seals, and sea lions.

Fairbanks, Alaska

“I feel like it’s cliche, but being a marine biologist is something that I’ve wanted to be as long as I can remember,” Kris recalls. “ I’ve always loved the water and was interested in science growing up, so it has always been something I wanted to do.”

Kris returned home to Georgia to earn his master’s degree in marine sciences from Savannah State University, and he started working with ORK shortly after graduating. He was surprised by the number of issues in the basin. “There are so many relatively small things taking place that lead to larger environmental issues.”

In spite of that, he is heartened by ORK’s effectiveness. “We are not a regulatory agency. People often ask when dealing with issues if ORK will place any fines and are surprised to hear we can’t do that. But my favorite thing to tell people about ORK’s work is all the successes we’ve had protecting the river.  No matter how small all of the victories we have, work towards better water quality for the basin.”

What is your idea of happiness? Enjoying a day on the water! 

Who are your favorite painters and composers? Jeff Koons

What is your favorite bird? Probably a raven 

What is your most treasured possession?  A tie between my Pikachu Nintendo 64 and my binder with the original 151 Pokemon cards.

What is the dumbest way you’ve been hurt? Diving in the ocean after a fish and hitting my head on the ground

What’s the best type of cheese for you? Mozzarella 

What’s the worst color that was ever invented? Maroon because people try to convince me it’s different from burgundy.

Which talent would you most like to have? I would love to be able to play the piano.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Fairness. The fair is only a place they judge pigs.

What takes a lot of time but is totally worth it? Woodworking 

What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation? Fish, whether it be about fishing or just fish in general.

What’s the most amazing natural occurrence you’ve witnessed? Diving in the blue hole in Belize 

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? “Let’s do it/Let’s get after it.”

What is your motto? What’s the worst that can happen? 

Blog Post, Press Releases ,

RELEASE: ORK accepting entries for annual photo contest

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper August 18, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

08/18/2023
Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST
Multiple categories will put on a spotlight the beauty of the area

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) is soliciting the best photographs from across the 5,500 square mile watershed. ORK’s watershed is home to an incredible diversity of ecological features, and it provides an important habitat for more than 160 rare species of plants and animals.  Judges will be looking for images that highlight what makes the Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers, and the surrounding areas, remarkable. This is the fourth year for the contest. 

“We’ve been thrilled with the past entries,” said Meaghan Walsh Gerard, communications and administrative director. “The variety of subjects has been inspiring.”

Photographers can enter in multiple categories: Landscape, portrait, wildlife, plant life, underwater, aerial, black and white, and funny wildlife. Since this will be an annual event each December, ORK requests that any images submitted be taken within the same calendar year. ORK hopes to see entries from across the 21 counties encompassing the watershed. 

Gerard also notes that this will be the first year ORK will consider sponsorships. “As always, winners will receive a household membership and ORK merchandise, but we are also looking for a business or two to partner with so we can offer even more prizes.”  Interested companies are invited to contact Gerard.

Submissions are due by November 6, 2023. Winners receive a free membership to the organization and ORK merchandise. Winners will be announced early December 2023. Complete rules and submission guidelines at: ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/annual-photography-contest.

About Ogeechee Riverkeeper: Ogeechee Riverkeeper 501(c)(3) works to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. The Canoochee River is about 108 miles long and the Ogeechee River itself is approximately 245 miles long. The Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,500 square miles across 21 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

***See previous entries
2022 Annual Photography Contest