James Burke first came to ORK by taking the initiative at his school to raise money for our organization, as a part of a student fundraiser. He ultimately became an intern with us, assisting with water quality monitoring, assisted with various research projects, facilitated education and outreach at community events, and co-trained other Adopt-a-Stream volunteers. James helped pave the way for future high school interns and wish him all the best at Yale!
I started working with ORK the summer before my junior year of high school. I went to my first event, an Adopt-a-Stream training in May 2021, followed by a litter cleanup through the Don’t Litter Lotts Initiative in June.
What started as a way to fulfill my high school’s community service requirement turned into a new passion for citizen science, environmental stewardship, and freshwater ecology. I quickly began working with ORK as a student intern, where you could find me passing out informational fliers at the Statesboro Farmer’s Market or crouched over a creek testing for dissolved oxygen levels.
Although my role as a Lead Volunteer ended in February of 2023, I’ll always treasure the experiences ORK gave me, and I’ve grown to appreciate the environmental nonprofits across the country that give everyday people like myself the opportunity to help the environment.
I wrote my main college admissions essay on the community I found at ORK and the different personalities I met that shape this incredible organization. Thanks in part to that essay, Im headed to Yale University! I couldn’t be more excited, and my experience at ORK helped me land on a major: environmental engineering.
ORK changed the course of my life for the better, and I’ll always be grateful for the people I met and the things they taught me. I know ORK will continue to thrive, grow, and serve our watershed for years to come, and I hope the community continues to support their work.
Back in late February, after a heavy rainfall, I went to check on the Hwy 301 boat ramp before a cleanup and noticed four fifty-five gallon blue drums just off the ramp stuck in bushes in the river.
This inspired an idea. Compared to the surrounding counties, Bulloch County’s boat ramps are underserved. There is typically a high amount of trash usually present all over the boat ramp sites that are underbuilt or a trashcan is absent. For this project, I placed trash cans at the boat ramps. The cans are managed by myself and local volunteers, being emptied on a monthly basis. The hope is that the implementation of the trash cans at these will help make a difference in the overall appearance and quality at each of these sites.
I was able to retrieve all of discarded blue barrels them and clean them for use and I sourced additional one from a local business who buys and resells old barrels from a food processing plant. I then began repurposing them.First, using an electric drill, I made a hole near the top just below the edge of the lid. Then I used a jigsaw with a PVC blade to cut the lid off the rest of the barrel. From there, I drilled five holes with a quarter inch drill bit to help make the trash can predator-proof and more accessible for people. There are additional holes on the bottoms of the trash cans as well for drainage when it rains.
The barrels have the logos of Georgia Southern University (where I’m enrolled) and Ogeechee Riverkeeper (who I’m doing the practicum project with). The goals are to reduce the amount of litter entering the waterways via the human population from boat ramps and to make people more aware of their social responsibility in the outdoors.
Everyone can be environmental stewards and lead by example with responsible and ethical outdoor practices, especially when it comes to hunting and fishing. There are 3 main ways you can help:
Take the GA DNR required Hunters Safety Course. After completion, you buy a Hunting/Fishing license to help support conservation and for data analysis of wildlife management (more info below).
Properly dispose of animal remains and fishing tackle – NOT in a waterway. Many boat landings have receptacles specifically for plastic fishing line.
One of the best ways all of us can create a better public understanding of hunting and fishing is to create a better public awareness of the important role that hunters and anglers have played in conservation and improving our natural resources. Together with hunting and fishing license fees, federal aid programs have funded game animals and sport fish conservation, habitat acquisition and outdoor recreation opportunities both in Georgia and throughout the country.
– georgiawildlife.com
Register for the day-long S.H.A.R.P. Program (Safe Harvest and Responsible Practices) with GA DNR
Licenses & Seasons
In the State of Georgia, a license is required to hunt and/or fish. You can buy an individual hunting or fishing license, or the combined Sportsman license. In general, licenses last one year from the date of purchase. View the options to choose the right one for you.
It is now required to order a saltwater license (free addition) if you buy the Sportsman or fishing license, as well as a harvest record for hunting certain species.
Data collection helps with population control, wildlife management, reducing poaching and illegal activity, amongst many other reasons. If you see suspicious activity, report immediately to your local game warden.
Follow all hunting season guidelines. They are part of the responsible management of the species numbers and health, as well as for the safety of fellow hunters and fishers.
Deer hunting season dates for the entire Ogeechee River Basin:
Archery begins on September 9 and ends on Oct. 13; Firearms begins October 24. Both end on January 15. See a full list of season dates
Proper removal of hunted animals
Did you know that dumping animal remains in a waterway does more harm than good? By throwing remains in the waterway, it can create harmful bacteria buildup that hurts humans, animals, and plants. The parts left behind are not sought after by most fish or aquatic animals, or will take too long for them to break down, causing harmful bacteria during decay. It is best to either bury the entrails and bones, or leave them on the land (away from roads) for vultures and other carrion to eat. Let’s thank nature’s garbage disposals for doing their jobs!
“Hunters, you can help protect the Georgia deer herd from Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal disease affecting deer. This disease has not been detected in our state and you can be instrumental in keeping it out,” says Killmaster. “Do not bring live deer, whole carcasses or heads into Georgia, know what parts you can bring back from an out-of-state hunt, and report deer with any disease symptoms. You can find more info at GeorgiaWildlife.com/cwd.”
Treats
Your dog loves venison more than you, I guarantee. Here’s a super simple and quick recipe for venison jerky for your furry friend. This will save you money on dog treats too!
David Turko, Macaulay Library
Other Important Dates:
Not sure if it’s for you but want to give hunting or fishing a try? September 23 is National Hunting and Fishing Day (no license required)!
Deer hunting season for the entire Ogeechee River Basin: Archery: Begins September 9. Firearms: Begins October 24.
Both end on January 15.
Submit your photos and stories of responsible sportsmanship to info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or tag us on social media.
Mel is the education and outreach coordinator for ORK, which means she is often found in classrooms, at outdoor events, or in the creek leading a cleanup. She works to make sure the public has access to the resources ORK has to offer and to make sure citizens have plenty of chances to interact with ORK’s many facets.
Birds and Bins cleanup
She works with volunteers who help with the Adopt-A-Stream program and with cleanups, coordinates efforts with municipalities and partner organizations, and shares educational tools with educators and the public.
No two days are ever the same in this work. “I find what people have in common when it comes to environmental things, specifically related to water, and bring them together,” Mel says. “One day I might be doing data analysis, another I might be in the river doing cleanups, the next I might be planning social events for our members.”
Mel’s background and education is just as varied as the many aspects of water quality work. She received her bachelor’s degree from UGA in anthropology and archaeology, going on to do field work in Belize. She worked on Maya ruins, unearthing communities and finding artifacts.
Digging in Belize
For a time, Mel was based out of the West Coast between the Redwoods of California to Orcas Island, Washington, where she did a mixture of work with local food movements, archaeology research and a YMCA summer camp.
Mel at a Project WET training
“It was a new environment, filled with natural beauty and unique opportunities,” Mel recalls. “I got to use my archaeology degree to do field work for several different projects and I had a chance to do environmental education in a different part of the world.”
She returned to Georgia and earned her master’s degree in social sciences with a focus in environmental anthropology.
“This job is a perfect combination of my various skills and educational background,” Mel says of Ogeechee Riverkeeper. “And I think people would be surprised just how much my anthropology and archaeology degrees truly relate to this job.”
She also underlines the importance of digging in and learning from all your experiences. “Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and take positions that may not directly apply to your degree – you never know where it will take you and what connections you’ll make along the way.”
At Rock Eagle 4-H Center
Mel has found plenty in ORK’s watershed to inspire her – both in good and bad aways. The ecological variety is astounding and it’s amazing “how much cool wildlife you can find when you spend time observing.” She’s also discovered that river landings are considered party venues for many, and while she understands the draw to be in a beautiful setting, the disrespect displayed by what is left behind only makes her more determined to protect our waterways through education and volunteerism.
What is your idea of happiness?
A sunset with a warm breeze & sounds of plants moving in the wind. And an endless supply of fresh mangoes.
Who are your favorite painters and composers?
Too many painters….I was an art history minor so I won’t bore y’all with the list of names. Too many composers but definitely Paul McCartney is at the top of the list.
What is your favorite bird?
3 Way Tie: Mississippi Kite, Kingfisher and Turkey Vulture
What is your most treasured possession?
Harry Potter books. Just kidding. Maybe.
What is the dumbest way you’ve been hurt?
Fell down the stairs in high school on my birthday and sprained my ankle which ruined soccer season for me.
What’s the best type of cheese for you?
Cabot Extra Sharp – or any cheese, really.
What’s the worst color that was ever invented?
Magenta Pink that is not a part of nature (flowers, the sky, etc.)
Which talent would you most like to have?
Musical talent
What takes a lot of time but is totally worth it?
Vacuuming & organizing
What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation?
Local food movements
What’s the most amazing natural occurrence you’ve witnessed?
The after effects of the 2009 tsunami in Japan off the California coast.
I attended the Society for Freshwater Science’s shared conference in Brisbane, Australia, earlier this month. I was in Australia from June 1-11 and got the pleasure of seeing old friends and colleagues, as well as meeting new ones. I also got to partake in some leisurely activities on my off time and on my extended stay after the conference. I am so excited to share my journey (and some photographs) with you all.
I started my adventure by flying from Savannah to Brisbane with two stops along the way. After arriving, we immediately dropped our stuff off and a group of my friends and I headed to the Australia Zoo. We spent the day at the zoo and got to see a lot of the native flora and fauna of Australia. Some key highlights would be the massive saltwater crocodiles which can grow up to 17 feet long. I also got to see one of my favorite birds, the cassowary. They were fairly shy and it was hard to get photos of them. There was a lot to see around the zoo, but you can tell the animals are very well taken care of.
The conference included seminars including for data analysis and Rstudio coding. I want to thank Dr. Eric Moddy and Dr. Felicia Osburn for giving me the opportunity to attend this conference and bringing me along through the STOICH Project. I learned some new skills using coding and helped make a cool graph for the project. After the seminar, I was able to kayak the Brisbane River and learn from the guides about the river and the city.
June 5 and 6 were spent supporting the National Science Foundation program Emerge Fellows during their presentations in the morning and early afternoon. Our group also took a trip to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane. They do a lot of local rehabilitation of animals in the Queensland area. We ended up seeing many koalas, birds, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, wallabies, and even a platypus. I also got to experience feeding rainbow lorikeets and one even landed on my head!
June 7 was an intensive day with an all day trip that included a tour to see glow worms! The tour started by driving out to Springbrook Natural Park and stopping by a large dam along the way. In the park, we walked through the rainforest and saw a natural glow worm cave with a waterfall that broke through the middle of it. It was too bright during the day to see them glowing in their natural habitat, though. From there we headed over to Mount Tamborine and got to do ecotourism at a man-made glow worm cave built to protect and teach people about the glow worms. Glow worms are extremely susceptible to light so there are no pictures of them, but I highly encourage people to watch the PBS episode of SciTechNow on Glow Worms and how they glow.
Glow worm cave
At the end of the conference I said my goodbyes to new friends before heading on my own to explore the city of Brisbane. I got to see some great flora and fauna in the Roma Street Parklands and the Brisbane Botanical Gardens. The city is filled with flying foxes everywhere. They’re kind of hard to photograph, but super cute to observe sleeping in the trees.
Mulgumpin (Moreton Island)
On my last day, I made it out to Moreton Island, just outside of Brisbane. The island has great bird watching. There are also a lot of shipwrecks and other snorkeling and diving spots filled with fishes. The island is home to the largest stable sand dune in the world as well. I got to see a lot of cool birds and fish as I explored the island and the beach. It was the perfect ending to my trip.
