RELEASE: ORK marks World Photography Day with opening of annual photo contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
08/19/2026
Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

ORK MARKS WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY WITH OPENING OF ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST
Yearly event is a favorite among supporters

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) invites photographers to submit their best work for its annual photo contest, showcasing the phenomenal range of views and wildlife in the 5,500 square mile Ogeechee and Canoochee River basin. The photographs should highlight the area’s rich ecological features that provide vital habitats for more than 160 rare plant and animal species. ORK encourages entries from all 20 counties within the watershed.

The 2026 guest judges are Steve and Anna Bliss. Steve Bliss is an artist and photographic educator. He recently retired after a 30-year career teaching and administrating at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Over the course of his career, he received a number of grants and awards, including those from the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, the Georgia Council for the Arts, Polaroid Corporation, and the Southern Arts Federation. His photographs, digital images, and various works on paper are in the collections of museums and private collectors, nationally and internationally.  

Anna Bliss is a photographer based in Savannah, Georgia. She started making pictures in the sixth grade with a plastic camera and pretty much never stopped. She studied photography at the Maine Media Workshops in Rockport, Maine, and received a BFA in graphic design from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her primary interests are the landscape and the magic concealed in ordinary moments.

Photographers can enter in several categories: Landscape, Portrait, Wildlife, Plant Life, Underwater, Aerial, Black and White, and Funny Wildlife. To qualify, all submitted images must be taken within the current calendar year. 

“We’re out there everyday and we never get tired of seeing the watershed up close,” said Meaghan Walsh Gerard, communications and administrative director. “But it’s always special to see it through the eyes of those who love it as much as we do.”

All submissions must be received by November 16, 2026, with winners announced in December 2026. For complete rules and submission guidelines, visit 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 20 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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PDF of release

RELEASE: ORK announces Burroughs Digital Library

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
08/05/2026
Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER ANNOUNCES BURROUGHS DIGITAL LIBRARY
Aerial photography supported by a grant from the Burroughs Fund

In 2025, Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) received a grant from the Karen and Jerry Burroughs Foundation Fund of The Savannah Community Foundation, to research, create, and curate aerial imagery of the Ogeechee River basin. ORK scouted multiple locations to find representative examples that would showcase the breadth, beauty, and scope of the watershed. ORK then worked with veteran drone pilot and photographer John McKinnon to capture views, in both video and still formats.

“While working on the project it occurred to me we were making a document of the Ogeechee as it exists today that we can compare against future changes,” McKinnon recalls. “I was fortunate to be able to travel the length of the Ogeechee watershed and…I was amazed by the diversity of fauna starting near the source and changing along its path to the coast. The unique vantage point of the drone delivered coverage that could never be caught any other way.” 

ORK shares the Burroughs Digital Library to allow anyone to explore the watershed and be inspired to help us protect, preserve, and improve it for future generations. 

View the album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCPW8K

As editing of raw footage continues, more imagery will become available in the future. Please contact meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org for use permissions.

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.

About The Savannah Community Foundation: With an asset base in excess of $120,000,000, The Savannah Community Foundation is an umbrella philanthropic organization through which individuals, families, businesses, and charities support the well-being of our community.  More at www.savfoundation.org.

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08.2026 – Press Release – Burroughs Digital Library – PDF

Burroughs Digital Library - The Watershed from Above

ORK announces winners of annual photo contest

12/03/25
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. This year’s guest judge is Angela Hopper, photographer and owner of Bull Street Light Room. Judges sorted through images that highlighted what makes the Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers, and the surrounding areas, ecologically and aesthetically remarkable.

The 2025 winners are: 

Overall winner: Waterways Marina, Luis Lopez
Black and White: Herons, Dawn French
Funny Wildlife: Blowing Bubbles, Christy Wheeler
Landscape: Dawn Stillness, Libby Buker
Wildlife: My Good Side, J. Strozzo Anderson
Portrait: Me and Moo, Lily Hart
Plant Life: Yellow Waterlillies, Sydney Warren

The overall winner will receive three hours of studio time at Bull Street Light Room, with lighting and props included. Category winners will receive a one-year household membership to ORK, allowing them to partake in special events and membership perks.

“The landscape category was especially well done,” said guest judge Angela Hopper. “It was a tough choice for just one winner. Thank you for the opportunity to judge this competition. I loved seeing everyone’s work. Well done!”

All winners and entries are available to view at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or via the Flickr album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCCAm4

ORK has permission from the photographers to share their work. Contact ORK for files to reprint or share in publications.

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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2025 Annual Photography Contest

Winners of the 2024 Annual Photography 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.

The 2024 winners are: 

Black and White: Timeless Tunnel, Paula Johns
Funny Wildlife: Ride On, Janet Anderson
Landscape: Sunrise on the Vernon, Wanda Turner
Wildlife: Afternoon Snack, Janet Anderson
Portrait: Sunset Paddle, Don Howe
Aerial: Foggy Daybreak, Sydney Warren
Honorable Mention: Morning Dew Dockside Web, Sydney Warren

2024 Annual Photography Contest

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

 

RELEASE: Entries open for ORK annual photo contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/15/2024
Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

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

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) invites photographers to submit their best work for its annual photo contest, showcasing the stunning diversity of the 5,500 square mile Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers watershed. This year marks the contest’s fifth edition, highlighting the area’s rich ecological features and providing vital habitats for over 160 rare plant and animal species.

“We’ve been thrilled by the exceptional quality and diversity of previous submissions,” said Meaghan Walsh Gerard, communications and administrative director. “The creativity shown has been genuinely inspiring. I think my personal favorite, though, is funny wildlife. Those always elicit a smile.”

Photographers can enter in several categories: Landscape, Portrait, Wildlife, Plant Life, Underwater, Aerial, Black and White, and Funny Wildlife. To qualify, all submitted images must be taken within the current calendar year. ORK encourages entries from all 21 counties within the watershed.

In an exciting development, ORK will be considering sponsorships this year. “Winners will receive a household membership and ORK merchandise, but as this is the fifth anniversary of the contest, we’re eager to partner with businesses to offer even more prizes,” Gerard added. Interested companies are encouraged to reach out to ORK.

2023 Annual Photography Contest

All submissions must be received by November 18, 2024, with winners announced in December 2024. For complete rules and submission guidelines, visit 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.

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PDF of release