Author: Ogeechee Riverkeeper

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PRESS RELEASE: ORK announces the winners of the annual photography contest

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper December 2, 2021

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST
Professional photographer Parker Stewart helped choose winners

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has chosen the best photographs from across the 5,500 square mile watershed submitted for the annual photography contest. Judges sorted through images that highlighted what makes the Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers, and the surrounding areas, ecologically and aesthetically remarkable. This year, guest judge and photographer Parker Stewart led the selection process.

Stewart is based in Savannah, Georgia, and is currently focusing his time photographing the coast of Georgia and the river basins that flow in the region. “I was so excited to be asked to judge the Ogeechee Riverkeeper’s annual photography contest,” Stewart said. “The Ogeechee is such a beautiful and diverse expanse. There’s nothing better than exploring and photographing the winding black water rivers which flow out towards the most pristine barrier islands on the east coast.”

The 2021 winners are: 

Black and White –  Winner: Scarboro Landing, Janet Strozzo Anderson; Runner-up: River Rain, William Harrell
Funny Wildlife – Winner: Tree Climber, Wesley Hendley; Runner-up: Cormorant, Janet Strozzo Anderson
Landscape – Winner: Kings Ferry Landing, Ted Grey;  Runner-up: White Chimney Creek, Claude Howard
Plant life – Winner: Tree, Near Morgans Bridge, James Maddox; Runner-up: Stump, Kathleen Kuehn
Portrait – Winner: New Friends, Montana Tohm
Wildlife – Winner: Barred Owl, William Harrell; Runner-up: Pileated Woodpecker, Wesley Hendley
Honorable Mentions – Heart Tree, Tamara Shurling (Plant Life); Kayak Trail, Brett Tatom (Landscape); Free, Gretchen McLeod (Landscape); Big Daddy, Merritt Garrett (Funny Wildlife)

Winners receive a one year ORK household membership and official ORK swag. All winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions can be viewed here or via the viewer below.

2021 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 22 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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PRESS RELEASE: Hancock County adopts ordinances to protect Ogeechee River, residents

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper November 22, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/22/21
Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

Southern Environmental Law Center
Contact: Emily Driscoll, 404-521-9900
Director of Program Communications
edriscoll@selcga.org

HANCOCK COUNTY ADOPTS ORDINANCES TO PROTECT OGEECHEE RIVER, RESIDENTS
Update petitioned by Ogeechee Riverkeeper and drafted by Southern Environmental Law Center

Last week, the Hancock County Board of Commissioners amended its zoning ordinance to require some special use permit applicants to explain in detail how their proposal would impact the surrounding community and environment.

In March 2021 Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) helped organize a group of concerned citizens to prevent the development of a quarry in Hancock County. The site was along the banks of the Ogeechee River and immediately adjacent to a residential neighborhood. County commissioners ultimately denied the special use permit to the developers, but the process revealed just how vulnerable the county’s rural areas are to other damaging developments. 

ORK and Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) worked with local citizens and municipal officials to draft the amendments for Hancock County. The updates require the permit applicant to provide a community impact assessment that analyzes environmental conditions, water and air pollution, and truck traffic. Importantly, it also requires information on vulnerable populations, socioeconomic standards, public health data and protection, and other demographic data. The developer must now submit all of this information with their application. 

“These changes bring added transparency for the public and for county officials when considering a permit application,” says Damon Mullis, riverkeeper and executive director of ORK. “Both county residents and leaders need to know the true effects these proposals will have on their quality of life.” 

ORK opposed the quarry development due to its proximity to the Ogeechee River, and possible adverse effects on water quality, potential damage to the aquifer that locals use for drinking water, and likelihood of it becoming a pollution source.  While residents’ reasons varied, concerns included complications from silica dust, negative health effects to livestock, infrastructure damage, social and housing inequities, disturbance to local businesses and tourism industry, historic property damage, and more. 

Mullis added: “We appreciate the Hancock County commissioners for recognizing the need to make these improvements. We are confident that they will protect the community and our environment.”

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 22 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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ORK’s statement regarding the quarry defeat (March 2021)

Catfish and the Quarry – The Bitter Southerner (October 2021)

 

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Plastic-free Holiday

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper November 18, 2021

This holiday season, we challenge you to think “plastic-free.” Join us in a pledge to reduce or completely remove plastic from the holiday gifts you give, as well as what they are wrapped in. If you do online ordering, look into how the items are shipped.

  • Get creative with alternative wrapping. Use newspapers, paper bags, or fabrics. Make bows from bits of ribbon, strips of unused fabric, or even shoelaces! Find embellishments like sprigs or pinecones to tie on. 
  • Purchase from responsible sellers. Try to find local sellers to avoid packing and shipping, or find sellers who use compostable or reusable shipping materials. 
  • Choose sustainable gifts. Try to purchase items that don’t use plastic or are otherwise produced sustainably. 

Not to toot our own horn but you can give a gift membership from ORK! It’s 100% plastic-free! You can also get ideas here and here.

Share your gift or gift wrapping ideas with us at info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or on social media during the month of December. 

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PRESS RELEASE: ORK to hold panel discussion on plastic pollution

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper November 18, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/18/21
Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 6 p.m. It will be held virtually and is open to all. Registration is required. The meeting will begin with organization updates before launching into a panel discussion on plastic use and pollution. The panelists are:

  • Hermina Glass-Hill — Field Representative, Oceana (Georgia)
  • Jennette Gayer — State Director, Environment Georgia
  • Don Bates — Founder, Osprey Initiative

The discussion will be led by ORK staff.

When attendees register, they will receive a link to stream the documentary film The Story of Plastic. Attendees will watch the film before the panel discussion and will be able to ask questions of the panel. The Story of Plastic takes a sweeping look at the man-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people who inhabit it. The panel discussion will also offer specific ideas and actions that can help combat plastic pollution in our watershed.

For registration links and more details, visit

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 22 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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Thankful for Nature

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper November 1, 2021

Share what things in nature you are thankful for with us during the month of November at info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or on social media with #ORKthanks.

You an also get crafty and make a “thankfulness tree” using any materials or mediums. Make individual leaves and write what in nature you are thankful for on each leaf; you can include what your friends and family are thankful for also.

Send us a photo of your Thankfulness Tree!

Activity is open to all ages. This activity can be combined with Project Learning Tree activity “We All Need Trees” which can be adapted for grades PreK-6 in Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts and Language Arts.