Category: Press Releases

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RELEASE: Canoochee Paddle Race opens registration

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper January 18, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01/18/2024
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

CANOOCHEE PADDLE RACE OPENS REGISTRATION
ORK brings the popular event back to Evans County

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) will host the Canoochee Paddle Race on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Evans County, Georgia. The race will begin at noon, with fun paddlers to follow.

The race will take place along approximately seven miles of the Canoochee River, from Brewton Bridge to Rocks River Bridge landing. Rocks River Bridge landing will also serve as the headquarters for the awards presentation, winners circle, food vendors, and entertainment. Everyone is welcome to come cheer for the racers and enjoy a day out by the river.

Paddlers of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes are welcome to compete. Non-racing paddlers are also welcome to follow the route after racers have started. Entrants will receive a vessel identifier, map, and official race t-shirt. Registrants will receive packet pick-up information via email. Entry is $50 per person, regardless of racing status.

ORK does not provide vessels or equipment. Personal flotation devices are required for each participant. Entry is limited and pre-registration is required. The deadline to register is Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at noon.

Where: Canoochee River, Evans County
Rocks River Bridge Landing: GPS 32.184196, -81.889276
When: Saturday, April 13, noon. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $50 per person; Free to cheer for the paddlers
Details and registration: https://www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/events/canoochee-paddle-race/

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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2024 Canoochee Paddle Race – 04.2024 – Press Release PDF

Images from 2023 Canoochee Paddle Race
Canoochee Paddle Race - 2023

Blog Post, Press Releases ,

Winners of Annual Photo Contest – 2023

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper December 8, 2023

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

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST

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 marked the most entries, from the most photographers, since the contest began in 2020. The guest judge for 2023 was Josh Yates, co-owner of Green Truck Pub and amateur photographer. He enjoys working with vintage film cameras and shooting urban scenes. “I loved seeing the views of other photographers from around the state,” said Yates. “The range of wildlife and views we have in our area is truly amazing.”

The 2023 winners are: 

Black and White: An Ogeechee Halloween, Kristina Strozzo
Funny Wildlife: Struttin’, Don Howe
Landscape: Nighttime at the Cabin, Christian Scott
Plant life: Southern Crabapple, Shannon Matzke
Wildlife: Cardinal, Christian Scott
Portrait: Dog Paddling, Wesley Hendley
Aerial: Ft. McAllister Marina, William Harrell
Honorable Mention: Portal to the Ogeechee, Justin Gehrke

All winners and entries are available to view via the Flickr album. ORK has permission from the photographers to share their work. Contact ORK for files to reprint or share in publications.

2023 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 21 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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Blog Post, Press Releases , ,

RELEASE: Flooding Survey Released

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper September 27, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09/27/2023
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

CITIZENS ENCOURAGED TO REPORT FLOODING WITH NEW TOOL
Organizations are trying to collect data on changing water patterns 

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has developed a survey tool for citizens to report flooding connected to increased development in coastal Georgia counties. The tool will help area organizations track changes in water incursion in the area. These changes include tidal flooding, overflowing canals, non-draining rainwater or stormwater, and more. The survey also includes prompts for site photos as well as a map to pinpoint the problem location. Citizens can report issues at public, private, residential, or commercial property. 

ORK and Savannah Riverkeeper (SRK) are leading the data collection of the survey. One Hundred Miles (OHM) is also interested in tracking patterns of flooding incidents. A shared concern of all the advocacy groups involved is the amount of concrete that accompanies such rapid development and the resultant flooding experienced by neighboring communities. 

Riverkeepers work to protect water quality at all stages of the water cycle. When water washes over roadways or parking lots, for example, it can compromise water quality. Salt water from higher tides can affect the ecology of freshwater habitats. Overflowing canals can carry water, nutrients, and contaminants from new areas. All of these scenarios are ones to monitor. 

This survey will use crowdsourced reports to monitor localized flooding after rain events. The goal is to document flood events to aid in public comments and improve developmental planning.

View the survey: https://arcg.is/1WXC9O1

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.

Blog Post, Press Releases ,

RELEASE: ORK accepting entries for annual photo contest

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper August 18, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

08/18/2023
Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST
Multiple categories will put on a spotlight the beauty of the area

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) is soliciting the best photographs from across the 5,500 square mile watershed. ORK’s watershed is home to an incredible diversity of ecological features, and it provides an important habitat for more than 160 rare species of plants and animals.  Judges will be looking for images that highlight what makes the Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers, and the surrounding areas, remarkable. This is the fourth year for the contest. 

“We’ve been thrilled with the past entries,” said Meaghan Walsh Gerard, communications and administrative director. “The variety of subjects has been inspiring.”

Photographers can enter in multiple categories: Landscape, portrait, wildlife, plant life, underwater, aerial, black and white, and funny wildlife. Since this will be an annual event each December, ORK requests that any images submitted be taken within the same calendar year. ORK hopes to see entries from across the 21 counties encompassing the watershed. 

Gerard also notes that this will be the first year ORK will consider sponsorships. “As always, winners will receive a household membership and ORK merchandise, but we are also looking for a business or two to partner with so we can offer even more prizes.”  Interested companies are invited to contact Gerard.

Submissions are due by November 6, 2023. Winners receive a free membership to the organization and ORK merchandise. Winners will be announced early December 2023. Complete rules and submission guidelines at: ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/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 21 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

***See previous entries
2022 Annual Photography Contest

Blog Post, Press Releases , , ,

RELEASE: ORK commissions local artist to create iconic imagery

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper June 13, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
06/13/2023
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER COMMISSIONS LOCAL ARTIST TO CREATE ICONIC IMAGERY
Juliana Smith is a linocut artist based in the Lowcountry 

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) commissioned local artist Juliana Smith to create a custom artwork entitled “Blackwater Barons” featuring the plants and wildlife in the Ogeechee River watershed. The work includes the Ogeechee lime tree, spider lilies, white ibis, bald-faced hornet, cypress knees, American alligator, robust redhorse, and redbreast sunfish. 

Smith designed the piece, carved the linocut by hand, and pulled a limited number of prints. 

“For me, working on a piece representing an entire river was a welcome challenge,” said Smith. “As a naturalist, I recognize that an ecosystem is the sum of its parts and enjoy drawing connections between and amongst them. So, to develop this piece, I relied heavily on the guidance of the riverkeeper to make sure I knew its iconic inhabitants. Through them I was introduced to the namesake tupelo and robust redhorse – both of which play huge roles in the piece, just as they do in the river.”

Each print is signed and numbered by the artist, and are only available by making a minimum donation of $500 to ORK. 

ORK will offer merchandise such as t-shirts, totes, and more in future.

Donate to receive a print: https://www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/prints/

About the artist: Juliana Smith is a local artist dedicated to spreading knowledge about the organisms we share our home with and encouraging outdoor exploration. She is a naturalist for an environmental education non-profit in the South Carolina Lowcountry where she shares experiences and information about our native flora and fauna with others. Though she is particularly drawn to birds, bugs, and wildflowers, she finds fascination in all wild things and spends endless hours observing, studying, and illustrating them.

Juliana’s Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/knowyourearth

Juliana’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knowyourearth_


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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