Author: Ogeechee Riverkeeper

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May Seeds So Summer Feeds

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 30, 2020

Watch your garden grow

Having fresh veggies is easy and fun.

Share your photos with Ogeechee Riverkeeper. Send in your sprout pictures to info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or tag us on social media.

Thank you to Peyton and Whitley for demonstrating!

Materials needed:
– Empty egg cartons (preferably paper/cardboard cartons)
– Spray water bottle
– Seed packets: tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, watermelons, okra, sweet peppers, and/or marigold seeds & potting soil (can be ordered online or any other ag/garden supply store)
-OR- old potato(es), if you are not able to get seeds and potting soil

For seed packets:

  1. Poke small holes in the bottom of each “egg” for water to drain out.
  2. Fill each “egg” with soil, push a finger in the middle of the dirt up to the first or second knuckle (kids with small fingers)
  3. Drop in seeds (check package for amount of seeds per “egg”).
  4. Use a water spray bottle and spritz each “egg”.
  5. Check seed sunlight/shade preferences. Since egg cartons are light, you can move them around the yard for sun/shade needs!
  6. Once the seeds sprout and start to outgrow the cartons, you can replant them in a garden bed, large pot, etc. You can plant them directly into the ground in their paper/cardboard “egg” because they will decompose; if you used styrofoam cartons, you will need to transplant them.
  7. Make sure to separate each egg either by tearing or cutting.
Seedlings

Additional resources

For old potatoes:

  1. Let a few potatoes grow sprouts, also known as “eyes”. These cannot be eaten so instead of throwing them away, you can plant them and they need very little care.
  2. Cut the potato in half or leave whole in most soil types, leaving the eyes exposed. They will sprout in sun or shade.
  3. Water right after you plant them and then let them do the rest of the work.
  4. Water 1-2 times per week if it has not rained.
  5. After potatoes stems have finished flowering, you can go on a scavenger hunt for the fresh, new potatoes in the soil!

    Potato eyes beginning to sprout
Potato sprouting

Additional resources

Need to know what will grow best in our watershed? Visit the UGA Extension Service or the USDA hardiness zone maps.

Remember to share your photos with Ogeechee Riverkeeper. Send in your gardening pictures to info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or tag us on social media with #ORKoutside.

Activity is open to all ages and meets the needs or can be combined with other activities for the following Georgia Standards of Excellence in science, earth systems and meteorology, depending on how in depth your activity is.

  • S1L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the basic needs of plants and animals.
  • S2L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the life cycles of different living organisms.
  • SBO4.C. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to analyze the impact of plant diseases and pests on plant defense systems and agriculture.
  • H.E1.5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision making skills to enhance health.
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Flora: Ilex vomitoria

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 29, 2020
Catesby, M., natural history of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands, ed. 2, vol. 2: t. 57 (1754)

Yaupon
Ilex vomitoria

This species of holly is an evergreen shrub and can be found throughout the southeast. It flowers in April and May and produces red berries in September and October. These berries are generous food source for birds, armadillo, black bear, fox, raccoon and more.

The plant is hardy can can thrive in salt spray, sandy soil, constant wind, harsh sunlight, and high temperatures. They are often found on streambanks, in dunes, woodlands and floodplains. All of these conditions mean it flourishes in the Ogeechee River basin.

Photo by Marcus, Joseph A., Austin, TX

Ossabaw Island, bounded to the north by the Ogeechee River, plays an important role in the history of yaupon. Yaupon is the only plant native to the Americas that contains caffeine. Early native populations made tea from its dried leaves and there are some stories of them using its berries in ceremonies and to see visions.

The popularity of the yaupon’s effects made it a traded commodity. Evidence of yaupon tea has been found as far afield as Cahokia, Illinois, near the Mississippi River. One of the places where yaupon could be harvested was Ossabaw Island. It was so plentiful that the Creek Indians named the island ‘asapo’, which translates as “land of holly” or “holly growing place.” There is evidence of natives used Ossabaw as a seasonal village, for harvesting yaupon and other foods, dating back at least 4,000 years.

Chief Saturiwa prepares his men for battle, from Plate XI of Jacques le Moyne des Morgues’ engraving of Fort Caroline”, Jacques le Moyne and Theodor De Bry.

Yaupon tea never gained popularity over traditional camellia sinesis tea when Europeans began moving to the colonies, but it has many similar properties. It contains antioxidants and caffeine, though its tannic properties are slightly different. There are reports of it being used as a substitute for coffee and tea during the Civil War. It eventually fell out of favor socially because it was readily available and became associated with poor, rural people.

Yaupon tastes similar to a light black or a green tea. Some local restaurants and beverage companies are now “rediscovering” the tea drink.

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Fauna: Lepomis auritis

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 24, 2020
Redbreast sunfish by Duane Raver, 1975

Redbreast sunfish
Lepomis auritis

The redbreast sunfish is native to eastern North America and makes its home in freshwater rivers. A relatively small fish, it is considered full grown by the time it is two inches long. The largest one on record measured just 12 inches. They primarily eat immature insects.

Usually olive colored with dark fins, the male’s breast and belly will turn bright orange when spawning. The male makes a nest in sandy material, then guards the eggs and fry after the female lays. Auritis means “big-eared” in Latin and refers to the long tabs that extend behind their eyes.

Redbreast sunfish, caught in Georgia. Shared via Wikimedia Commons.

The redbreast sunfish thrive in waters with flowing current and a stable pH. They like to live in natural structures near riverbanks, like overhanging branches which offer shade and protected habitats. Clearing bank debris, lack of current, or a change in pH levels quickly and dramatically affect the population.

Flathead catfish, an invasive species, is a predator and decimated the redbreast sunfish in other nearby watersheds. Thus far, the Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers have not been infested with flathead catfish.

Art by Caroline Rose

Citizens are asked to report sightings of these detrimental catfish to Ogeechee Riverkeeper or the Georgia Environmental Protection Division immediately. Snap a photo and email to info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org with the approximate location of the sighting.

Flathead Catfish, (Pylodictis olivaris): Mississippi River @ Goose Island across from Northeast Power ramp, Marion County, Missouri.
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World Book Day

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 23, 2020

Some of the earliest books were about the natural world – illustrations of birds, plants and exotic animals were popular.

They were also important reference works as many scientists couldn’t travel easily. They would rely on detailed drawings and descriptions to make comparisons.

For World Book Day, we’ve picked a few of our favorite book covers and illustrations to celebrate.

Click on any image for more information.
The floral kingdom: its history, sentiment and poetry, by Cordelia Harris Turner, 1876.
The birds of America: from drawings made in the United States and their territories by John James Audubon, 1840
Flora Graeca, sive, Plantarum rariorum historia, quas in provinciis aut insulis Graeciae by John Sibthorp, 1806

Les fleurs animées. [Illustrated frontis piece], 1847. NYPL

The ‘Look About You’ Nature Study Books, Book 4 [of 7] by Thomas Hoare, date unknown.

Zoological sketches by Joseph Wolf, 1861.
Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada by Charles Francis Saunders, 1920
Our Field and Forest Trees by Maud Going, 1916
The Birds of Australia by Gregory M. Mathews, 1910.
Moths and Butterflies by Mary C. Dickerson, 1901.
Fishing tackle, its materials and manufacture : a practical guide to the best modes and methods of making every kind of appliance necessary for taking freshwater fish, and for the equipment of the angler and fly-fisher. With two hundred and fifty-four illustrations and explanatory diagrams.
by John Harrington Keene, 1886
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Press Release: ORK joins #GivingTuesdayNow efforts

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 21, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04/21/20
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org 

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER® JOINS #GIVINGTUESDAYNOW EFFORTS 

Savannah, Ga. –  Ogeechee Riverkeeper® (ORK) is participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity, set to take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The day is designed to highlight generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world. 

ORK has continued its work of monitoring waterways, advocating for legislative priorities and finding new ways to reach citizens of the Ogeechee River basin. However, ORK has had to postpone events like the popular paddle trips and educational classroom visits. 

“We need to continue our work in the field now and make sure we are ready to ramp up our outreach efforts in the future,” said Damon Mullis, riverkeeper and executive director. “Financial support means once the crisis subsides, we can get back that much quicker. We can accept major sponsors as well as individual donations.”

“We are keenly aware that some people are unable to donate money at this time so we have set up easy ways people can help ORK that don’t cost anything,” said Meaghan Gerard, communications and administrative director. “We have a social media ambassador program, simple ways for people to contact legislators, and more on our website. We also have ideas for volunteering even while we can’t get together for group clean-ups.” 

#GivingTuesdayNow emphasizes opportunities to give back to communities and causes in safe ways that allow for social connection even while practicing physical distancing. 

“As a global community, we can mourn this moment of extreme crisis while also finding the opportunity to support one another. We each have the power to make an impact with acts of generosity, no matter how small, and to ensure the sustainability of organizations and services that are crucial to the care and support of our communities,” said Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday.

Follow the hashtag #GivingTuesdayNow or visit bit.ly/ORKgivingtuesday.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper and Executive Director Damon Mullis is available for interviews and appearances. 

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. At 245 miles long, the Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,000 square miles of land. More information, volunteer opportunities, live data, and blog are at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org. 

About GivingTuesday: GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. #GivingTuesdayNow is organized by GivingTuesday, in partnership with its global network of leaders, partners, communities and generous individuals. GivingTuesday is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.