Blog Post – Ogeechee Riverkeeper

Blog Post, Press Releases annual meeting, awards

RELEASE: ORK announces award winners

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper June 8, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
06/08/2026
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER ANNOUNCES ORK AWARD WINNERS
The awards presentation took place at ORK’s annual membership meeting

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) presented the 2026 ORK Awards at the annual membership meeting on Saturday, June 6, under the oaks at the historic Glen Echo Farm in Ellabell, Georgia. The awards recognize outstanding efforts by businesses and individuals in water protection in the basin. Each was presented with a printed photograph from the winning entries of the previous annual photography contest. The event also included updates from Riverkeeper Damon Mullis, cornhole under the ancient oaks, kids activities, and more.

Volunteer Award was presented to Ernie and Lind Hollingsworth, Adopt-A-Stream volunteers who have consistently collected water samples for decades. This award is given to a volunteer who exemplifies the spirit of ORK’s commitment to public outreach, educational opportunities, and meaningful efforts for clean water in our basin.

The Rising Star Award was presented to Cathryn Martin, a recent graduate of Richmond Hill High School, for her research into area development on flooding and effective stormwater management. The award is given to someone under the age of 21 who has the spirit and drive to initiate change for safe, clean water in the basin.

Legacy Award was given to Don Stack, an environmental attorney and founding member of the organization. This award is presented to an individual who has dedicated themselves, their time, or their work to protecting water quality in our basin.

The Business Award is presented to a company that is making a real-world difference in their everyday operations to protect clean water through sustainable choices. This award was given to Hunter Cattle in recognition of their commitment to ethical and environmental practices.

Educational Partner Award was presented to Richard Evans with UGA Chatham County Extension Office for his assistance with the Master Naturalist program. The award is given to an individual, educational program, or school that is always ready to help ORK connect supporters with meaningful learning experiences.

Excellence in Water Science Award is presented to a scientist or researcher (or project) that has added to the body of knowledge about the Ogeechee watershed. The award was given to Jaivime Evaristo, C. Rhett Jackson, and Todd C. Rasmussen for their work on aquifer groundwater connected to surface water in Georgia.

Please note: Cathryn Martin and Richard Evans were unable to attend. Their headshots are included. Todd Rasmussen accepted for the group.

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 20 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

PDF of Press Release – ORK awards

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Blog Post, Press Releases clay shoot, Fundraiser, press release

RELEASE: ORK to host Clays for the Canoochee

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper May 20, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
05/20/2026
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER TO HOST CLAYS FOR THE CANOOCHEE
The new event is a sporting clay shoot fundraiser

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) invites sportsmen and women to participate in a sporting clay shoot, benefitting the nonprofit’s fight to secure clean, safe water. Participants will have a chance to show off their skills on the 50-shot course at 17 South Rod and Gun Club, a 300-acre private club with 15 scenic stations that challenge shooters of all levels. The event is a morning of friendly competition, followed by an award luncheon and raffle.

Those looking to aim higher can become a Clays for the Canoochee sponsor. Depending on the level, sponsors will have increased visibility for their business or organization and special event-day perks, as well as registration for 1-2 teams of 4 shooters each. Not a shooter? Organizations can still sponsor limited edition merchandise, including reusable water bottles, tote bags, and more.

Event details, including schedule, registration, and sponsorship options: https://www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/clayshoot/

If interested in onsite coverage, please contact staff ahead of this event: hesper@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

Blog Post, Educational birding, birdwatching, cornell, ebird, educational, ornithology

Birding Basics

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper May 2, 2026

Do you often see or hear birds but don’t know how to identify them? Birding is a safe outdoor activity, and you can use our custom birding bingo to get started! And be sure to join in for the World Migratory Bird Day celebration.

More than just pretty animals, birds are an important part of the ecological system, including the Ogeechee River basin. Various species inhabit different layers of the food web — from birds that eat seeds and insects to the most expert hunting predators. They keep populations in check.

They also help spread seeds and pollen which is vital for plant growth. Maintaining a healthy environment for birds to thrive is crucial to the balance of ecosystems locally and globally.

Red-shouldered hawk. Photo by Chris S. Wood, Macauley Library

What is “birding”?

Birding is the act of birdwatching for recreational, research, or citizen science reporting purposes. Also known as ‘birdwatching,’ it’s the observation of birds in their natural habitats as a hobby or an amateur activity.

Wood Storks. Photo by Mary Ellen Urbanski. Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge

I see birds all the time, but I don’t know what I’m looking at.

Learn what to look or listen for when birding starting with color, shape, flight pattern, body size, bill or beak shape, calls and more.

Check out these sites for bird guides.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Birdwatcher’s Digest
Rare birds in the ORK watershed

Northern parula on red twig. Photo by Dan Fein.

I’m enjoying this. How can I get better?

Consider purchasing a pair of binoculars (aka “bins”) and searching out local birding trails or sites. You might also join a local chapter of the Audubon Society, an organization dedicated to protecting birds and sharing resources for enthusiasts.

Audubon Society
Ogeechee Audubon Society
Coastal Georgia Audubon Society
Georgia Audubon Society
Birding trails in Georgia

Always follow the American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics

American Goldfinch. Photo by Adam Jackson, Macauley Library.

I want to share some of the amazing things I’ve seen. Is there a way to do that?

Engage in citizen science. Download the eBird app or the Merlin app for free. It’s a digital way to keep track of the birds you see or hear while birding. This type of citizen science reporting — the collection of scientific data by amateur scientists — benefits the people participating as well as researchers.

Adult male Barn Owl. Photo by Shlomo Neuman, Audubon Photography Awards

ORK Birding Activity

Plan a birding trip in your backyard or neighborhood park, near a waterway or in a city greenspace.
Download eBird or Merlin Bird ID and record what you see/hear. If you aren’t sure how to ID a certain bird, you can search through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website by characteristics.
Share your checklists with friends and other birders! You can also share your findings and photos through email at info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

This activity is compatible with Project Wild “Bird Song Survey” activity which is geared towards middle and high school students in science and environmental education. Birding in general can be a fun family/friends outing for all ages, abilities, and environments.

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, ecology, environmental science, and zoology.

S3L2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the effects of pollution (air, land, and water) and humans on the environment.
S4L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem.
SEC3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to construct explanations of community interactions.
SB6. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to assess the theory of evolution.
SEC5. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information on the impact of natural and anthropogenic activities on ecological systems.

First published May 2022. Updated May 2026.

Blog Post education, master naturalist program, Volunteer

Volunteer Spotlight: Karen Ferguson

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 24, 2026

Karen recently joined and chose volunteer with ORK after participating in our Georgia Master Naturalist program. Her focus is helping us with educational and outreach opportunities.

Like a river traces to its source, my passion for the outdoors started as a kid in Scouts in Virginia. After time in the U.S. Air Force and classroom, I merged my interests into environmental education.

When our most recent move brought us to Georgia, I was looking for a place to put down new roots. I took ORK’s outstanding 2025 Georgia Master Naturalist course and knew I’d found a new home.

I volunteer whenever I have an opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences at events and through programs. My hope is to start a spark in someone else, so they see the benefits of being outdoors, and become passionate about protecting our rivers and the habitats around them.

I’ve gotten just as much from my volunteering, connecting with people with different interests that opened new paths and friendships. You never know what experiences will come from volunteering. Through a previous volunteer position, I had the opportunity to release a rehabilitated eagle after riding with it in my lap for 1.5 hours. This week, I’m leading an ORK program for students on macroinvertebrates at the same location I studied them with the Master Naturalist course.

Volunteering is like the ever-changing Ogeechee river: you think you know where you’ll end up, but the real adventure is along the way.

-Written by Karen Ferguson

You can help Ogeechee Riverkeeper in a number of ways, regardless of your expertise. Learn how you can volunteer with ORK.

Blog Post Adopt-A-Stream, georgia southern, loren mathews, Statesboro

Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Loren Mathews

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 21, 2026

Dr. Loren Mathews conducts regular water sampling as part of the statewide Adopt-A-Stream program. Her water quality testing helps ORK track potential issues and her training adds more AAS volunteers to our ranks.

“Mother, Mother Ocean, I have heard your call” are the lyrics I remember hearing play in the background on family sailing trips around South Florida and the Keys growing up. On one particular trip, my fascination with marine life inspired me to take a cushion sea star off the sandy bottom and stow it in the anchor well so that I could dry it out and later take it home as a souvenir. It didn’t take long before a mysterious pungent smell coming out of the boat revealed my secret treasure and future career goals of becoming a marine biologist to my parents.

When it came time for me to graduate from high school, I could think of no better place to answer my call than the University of Miami. The next time I came across a cushion sea star, I was on a research vessel with a tape measurer in hand and a notebook nearby to record my data.

Fast forward over two decades, and I now have the chance to cultivate that same passion for exploration and observation in my own two boys, the hundreds of Georgia Southern college students I teach every semester, and the people I get to work with through the Ogeechee Riverkeeper and Georgia Adopt-A-Stream programs.

The creeks in Statesboro and our watershed may not be salty and turquoise blue, but they keep my toes in the sand and the sound of water flowing in my ears. My hope is that everyone, no matter where they live and work, finds a way to connect to the natural world around them and is inspired to get involved with one of the many opportunities there are to care for it.

-Written by Dr. Loren Mathews