Press Releases

ORK will host Riverfest at the Ogeechee River Mill, on the border of Warren and Hancock counties, on Saturday, April 15, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper will host the Canoochee Paddle Race on Saturday, April 22, 2023 in Evans County, Georgia.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has chosen the best photographs from across the 5,500 square mile watershed submitted for the annual photography contest.

The 2023 ORK Research Fellow is Molly McKean, a graduate student at Georgia Southern University, pursuing a master’s degree in biology. She works in the lab of Dr. Checo Colón-Gaud

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) is soliciting the best photographs from across the 5,500 square mile watershed. Judges will be looking for images that highlight what makes the Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers, and the surrounding areas, remarkable. This is the third year for the contest. 

ORK and the City are holding their second rain barrel giveaway at Joseph Tribble Park on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Area residents can pick up a free rain barrel from 5 - 7 p.m.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) is accepting applications for the 2023 research fellowship through October 15, 2022.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper releases a comprehensive tool kit for citizen advocacy. The kit includes contacts, ordinances, and other tips for protecting water quality.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) considers the closure of the Longleaf facility to be an overall positive step for the health and cleanliness of the watershed, while acknowledging the impacts to the local economy that such a closure will necessitate. 

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) and the City of Savannah are partnering to lead a long term project to protect the water quality and ecology of the Vernon River. Two litter booms were recently deployed in an effort to catch litter before it reaches the river or the ocean.

Milliken has promised to stop using PFAS, otherwise known as ‘forever chemicals’ in their facilities by December 2022. They are eradicating these chemicals from two product lines from facilities worldwide. This includes the Longleaf facility located in Screven County on the banks of the Ogeechee River. 

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) was awarded a Five Star grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in support of its ongoing Protect The Vernon project. The funding will allow ORK to engage stakeholders in a scientific plan and help move the Vernon River toward greater ecological health.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has launched a new research fellowship to be filled each year. In 2022, the ORK Research Fellow is Brian Bush, a first-year graduate student at Georgia Southern University, pursuing a master’s degree in biology. The fellowship is underwritten by investments secured from the 2011 fish kill settlement. 

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has chosen the best photographs from across the 5,500 square mile watershed submitted for the annual photography contest. This year, guest judge and photographer Parker Stewart led the selection process.

ORK and Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) worked with local citizens and municipal officials to draft updated ordinance amendments for Hancock County.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 6 p.m. It will be held virtually and is open to all. Registration is required. The meeting will begin with organization updates before launching into a panel discussion on plastic use and pollution.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) is soliciting the best photographs of the year 2021 from across the 5,500 square mile watershed. Judges will be looking for images that highlight what makes the Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers, and the surrounding areas, remarkable.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) and the City of Savannah are partnering to lead a long term project to protect the water quality and ecology of the Vernon River. The goal is to improve water quality, restore ecological habitat, and “Protect The Vernon River” from current and future threats.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper is partnering with Green Truck Pub on Thursday, April 22, 2021, 5-9 p.m.,to feature a live outdoor projection of a new interactive map of the Ogeechee River basin. GTP will offer a new burger special highlighting the celebration. Members of ORK staff will be on-hand to answer questions, assist with memberships, and demonstrate the new StoryMap.

Winners have been announced for the 2020 photography contest.

After ORK discovered that Milliken’s Longleaf facility was discharging polyfluoroalkyls and perfluoroalkyls (PFAS) chemicals, ORK initiated a pilot study to determine if these chemicals were bioaccumulating in fish regularly consumed by people from the river. Initial results show that all fish sampled had detectable limits of PFAS chemicals in their tissue fillets.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) will hold its annual meeting virtually on Friday, November 13, 2020. The live stream will begin at 6:45 p.m., with speakers starting at 7 p.m.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has reviewed the draft permit released by Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) for Milliken Longleaf Pine Facility which discharges into the Ogeechee River.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has partnered with the City of Statesboro and Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful (KSBB) to help curb litter pollution in Little Lotts Creek.