Blog Post – Page 8 – Ogeechee Riverkeeper

Blog Post, Press Releases clean 13, Georgia Water Coalition

ORK attends Clean 13 Celebration

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper May 8, 2024

MEDIA ADVISORY
05/08/2024
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER ATTENDS CLEAN 13 CELEBRATION
The event is hosted by Georgia Water Coalition

April 30, 2024 – 2024 Clean 13 Celebration by the Georgia Water Coalition | photo by Erik Voss

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) attended the Clean 13 Celebration on April 30, 2024. The regular event is hosted by Georgia Water Coalition (GWC) to celebrate the state’s clean water heroes. GWC publishes this list not only to recognize these positive efforts on behalf of Georgia’s water but also as a call to action for our state’s leaders and citizens to review these success stories, borrow from them and emulate them.

GWC is a consortium of more than 285 conservation and environmental organizations, hunting and fishing groups, businesses, and faith-based organizations that have been working to protect Georgia’s water since 2002. Collectively, these organizations represent thousands of Georgians.

ORK staff visits with Clean 13 heroes | photo by Erik Voss

ORK helped to celebrate Meredith Devendorf Belford and the protection of thousands of acres of land in Liberty County from development. Most recently, 430 acres was set aside as a nature center for public use and the rest preserved as a living laboratory for scientists and researchers to inform future land use policies and decisions to better protect the highly productive, but fragile, coastal ecosystem.The acreage includes marsh as well as maritime and upland forest along the Medway and North Newport Rivers.

ORK attendees: Damon Mullis – Riverkeeper and Executive Director
Kris Howard – Science and Policy Manager
Carly Nielsen – Upper Watershed Representative

Clean 13 report: https://www.gawater.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Clean-13-2023.pdf

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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Blog Post crabs, crustaceans, fauna, invertebrates

Fauna: Callinectes sapidus

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper May 1, 2024

Fauna: Callinectes sapidus
Blue crab (and others)

The Ogeechee River basin is teeming with a diverse array of crab species, each with its own unique characteristics and role within our aquatic ecosystems. From the feisty blue crab to the elusive stone crab, these fascinating creatures play a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of life in our rivers and estuaries.

Perhaps the most well-known of all crab species in our region, the blue crab is a true symbol of the coastal South. With its distinctive blue claws and sweet, succulent meat, the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is a favorite catch among recreational and commercial fishermen alike. But beyond its culinary appeal, the blue crab also serves as an important predator and scavenger, helping to control populations of small fish, mollusks, and other invertebrates in our estuarine habitats. Eggs of blue crabs hatch in salty waterways like inlets, coastal tributaries, and mouths of rivers, and are carried to the ocean by ebb tides. Eventually, young crabs settle to live in brackish water. These estuaries are also needed for crabs to complete their molting and growing cycles.

Red-jointed Fiddler Crab Photo by Emilio Concari

If you’ve ever explored the muddy shores in our basin, chances are you’ve encountered the industrious fiddler crab (Minuca minax). Commonly known as the red‐jointed fiddler crab or brackish-water fiddler crab, they are known for their oversized claws and distinctive “fiddling” behavior, these small but mighty crustaceans play a vital role in shaping the structure and stability of our coastal marshes. By burrowing into the soft mud and feeding on organic matter, fiddler crabs aerate the soil, increase nutrient cycling, and provide habitat for a variety of other marsh-dwelling organisms.

Juvenile Stone Crab. Photo by Andrea Westmoreland

Less conspicuous but no less important are the stone crabs (Menippe mercenaria) that inhabit the rocky substrates of our river bottoms and oyster reefs. In addition to the typical molting cycle, these crabs can also lose a limb and easily grow it back. With their powerful claws and voracious appetites, stone crabs play a crucial role in controlling populations of bivalves and other shellfish, helping to maintain the health and productivity of our estuarine ecosystems.

Atlantic Ghost Crab. Photo by Kris Howard

The Atlantic ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) is an omnivore that needs sandy beaches for its habitat. A great deal of its habitat has been affected by beachgoers or other human interaction. They are also typically nocturnal, so it is rare to spot them on a day by the shore. In 2023, a study showed that these crabs had self-awareness and could recognize themselves in a mirror.

Blog Post, Press Releases EPA, forever chemicals, pfas

RELEASE: ORK meets with EPA in Washington, D.C.

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 24, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04/24/2024
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER MEETS WITH EPA IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
ORK is advocating for regulations for PFAS

Damon Mullis, executive director and riverkeeper for Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK), traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to engage with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and legislators regarding the critical issue of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) regulation. Mullis expressed gratitude for the recent efforts made by the EPA and lawmakers in establishing new regulations concerning PFAS levels in drinking water.

During his visit, Mullis commended the EPA and legislators for taking the initial steps in addressing PFAS contamination. He emphasized the significance of these regulations as a foundational measure in safeguarding public health. However, Mullis underscored the urgent need for further action, particularly in the areas of fish tissue consumption guidance and the elimination of PFAS from sources such as sludge used for fertilizers.

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals commonly found in various household and industrial products. These persistent chemicals bioaccumulate and pose a significant danger to human health and the environment due to their potential toxicity. PFAS have been linked to adverse health effects, including cancer, immune system disorders, and developmental issues. Their widespread use and persistence in the environment make them a pressing concern for communities worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive regulation and mitigation efforts to reduce exposure and protect public health.

In a statement regarding his visit, Mullis stated, “I was in D.C. last week to thank EPA and legislators for putting out new rules on acceptable levels of PFAS in drinking water. I applauded this important first step but also reminded them that fish tissue consumption guidance is needed.”

In 2018, ORK discovered PFAS was present in fish in the Ogeechee River. Since then, ORK has been working to track potential sources, press for fish consumption guidelines, and advocate for regulations around chemical uses and discharges into waterways.

The new regulations and guidance are available here: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas

The EPA’s press release is available here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-finalizes-first-ever-national-drinking-water-standard

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PFAS EPA Wash DC – 04.2024 – Press Release

Blog Post book covers, botanical, illustrations, science illustrations, world book day

World Book Day

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 23, 2024

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

Blog Post flora, marsh grass, spartina, Spartina alterniflora, Sporobolus alterniflora

Flora: Spartina alterniflora

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper March 4, 2024

Spartina alterniflora or Sporobolus alterniflora

Spartina Marsh Grass

We’re shining a spotlight on a humble yet essential inhabitant of our coastal marshes: Spartina alterniflora, (recently renamed by some botanists as Sporobolus alterniflora) commonly known as cordgrass or marsh grass. This remarkable plant plays a vital role in sustaining the health and integrity of our coastal environments.

Spartina marsh grass is a hardy perennial grass species that thrives in the salty, and brackish marshy habitats along Georgia coastlines. Characterized by tall, slender stems and vibrant green foliage, spartina serves as a cornerstone of coastal ecosystems, providing a multitude of benefits to both wildlife and humans alike. Its appearance changes throughout the seasons, shedding stalks in spring and flowering in fall.

The ecological significance of spartina marsh grass cannot be overstated. Importantly, it thrives in tidal zones with both salty ocean water and fresh water from rivers. As a foundational species within coastal marshlands, spartina performs a variety of crucial functions that contribute to the health and stability of these delicate ecosystems, including:

Habitat and Nursery Grounds: Spartina marshes serve as vital habitat and nursery grounds for a diverse array of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms. The dense root systems of spartina plants provide shelter and protection for juvenile fish and crustaceans, helping to support healthy populations of commercially and recreationally valuable species.
Erosion Control: The extensive root systems of spartina marsh grass help to stabilize coastal soils and prevent erosion caused by tides, waves, and storms. By binding sediment together and reducing wave energy, spartina plays a critical role in protecting shorelines and coastal infrastructure from the impacts of erosion and sea level rise.

Water Filtration: Spartina marshes act as natural filtration systems, capturing and trapping sediments, nutrients, and pollutants from runoff and tidal waters. Through a process known as phytoremediation, spartina helps to improve water quality and maintain the health of estuarine and marine ecosystems.
Carbon Sequestration: Like all plants, spartina marsh grass absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change by sequestering carbon in its tissues and in the soil. Spartina marshes are highly effective carbon sinks, storing significant amounts of carbon in their biomass and organic-rich sediments.

Despite its ecological importance, spartina marsh grass faces a range of threats in today’s world. Coastal development, habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, and climate change all pose significant challenges to the health and resilience of spartina marshes and the ecosystems they support.

Interested in joining us in our efforts to protect spartina marsh grass and other coastal treasures? There are many ways to get involved, from volunteering at restoration sites to supporting policies and practices that promote coastal conservation. Through advocacy efforts, habitat restoration projects, and community engagement initiatives, ORK and its supports work to promote the health and resilience of our coastal ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for all who depend on them.