Tag: press release

Blog Post, Press Releases ,

RELEASE: ORK hosts virtual walk across the watershed

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper January 22, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01/22/26
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER HOSTS VIRTUAL WALK ACROSS THE WATERSHED
Participants will explore the geology, history, and wildlife in the basin

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has organized a virtual walk across the watershed for February 1-28, 2026. Participants can join from anywhere in the world, hitting milestones as they progress along the map. From the headwaters to Ossabaw Island, the illustrated milestones feature information about geology, history, ecology, and special places in the basin. 

Participants can create teams to reach the goal of 232.2 miles in 28 days. Walkers can also sync to a fitness tracker or update distances manually online. Activity conversions are available for biking and paddling, as well. 

The cost is $25 per person and is a fundraiser to support the work of ORK. Official artwork merchandise is available for an additional cost. Milestones are sponsored by local businesses and individuals including: Ogeechee Riverkeeper Board, The Cummings Family, Honey Specialities, ASW Forestry, In honor of Walt Dowling, Howe2Run, and Bolu Tree Nursery.

Details and registration: https://www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/walk/

Merch with official artwork by Caroline Rose: https://www.bonfire.com/official-2026-walk-the-ogeechee-shirts/

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.

***

Press Releases , , ,

RELEASE: ORK to host oyster roast fundraiser at Love’s Seafood

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper October 13, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/13/2025
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER HOSTS OYSTER ROAST FUNDRAISER AT LOVE’S SEAFOOD
The event features a silent auction, raffle, and plenty of fun

Ogeechee Riverkeeper’s (ORK) annual oyster roast returns to the banks of the river at Love’s Seafood on Wednesday, November 12, 6-9 p.m. A ticket includes all-you-can-eat freshly steamed oysters, plus chicken fingers and sides prepared by Love’s as well as beer from Service Brewing. 

Event details and tickets: https://www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/oyster-roast/

Music will be provided by Savannah’s favorite outlaw country band, Damon & the Sh*tkickers. The riverside party will also include a fabulous silent auction and the return of the popular Mystery ORCA Cooler raffle prize package. 

Most importantly, the annual oyster roast supports the crucial work of ORK. It will also act at ORK’s annual meeting by sharing updates from the past year and highlighting future priorities. 

The silent auction will be held online this year, meaning anyone can bid from anywhere. The items are available to preview now at https://bit.ly/ORKauction. Bidding starts November 5. Items include a one-night stay at the Ford Field & River Club, tickets and swag from Savannah Ghost Pirates, an Atlanta getaway with zoo and botanical garden admission, a chartered fishing trip, MountainFilm Festival passes, a two-night stay at The Lodge at Little Saint Simons Island, and more!

Corporate sponsorships offer perks all year long. Depending on the level of sponsorship, benefits can include tickets to the Oyster Roast. Current annual corporate sponsors of ORK are: Academy Lock and Key, Stack and Associates, Green Truck Pub, Queensborough National Bank and Trust, Claxton Chicken, Citizens Bank of the South, and Great Dane. View levels and benefits here.

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.

***

PDF of release: 10.2025 – Press Release – Oysters for the Ogeechee 2025

Flyer for event

Blog Post, Press Releases , ,

RELEASE: Ogeechee Riverkeeper wins Smith W. Bagley Award

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper August 29, 2025

08/29/25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER WINS SMITH W. BAGLEY AWARD
The Sapelo Foundation chooses a recipient annually

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has been named the 2025 recipient of the Smith W. Bagley Advocacy Award. The Sapelo Foundation Board of Trustees annually selects an outstanding nonprofit organization or network to receive the honor. The award is a special grant to memorialize The Sapelo Foundation’s late President and Trustee and his vision for a more just and equitable society. The Sapelo Foundation presented the award on August 28, 2025, at a reception in Savannah. 

ORK was chosen for, “Work defending the Ogeechee watershed against harm in a critical year, and securing essential concessions and remediations” related to development and industry in Bryan County. 

Bill Broker, Sapelo Foundation Trustee, added, “The Ogeechee Riverkeeper is the quintessential ‘David’ taking on ‘Goliath.’  In the rush to turn a blind eye to the challenges being faced by our water resources, the Riverkeeper has stood up for the preservation of this precious resource. Its effective advocacy cannot be ignored.”

“We are truly honored to receive this award,” said Damon Mullis, riverkeeper and executive director. “The Sapelo Foundation has long supported ORK’s efforts, and we are grateful for all that they have done to protect our state’s water resources. This recognition is particularly meaningful to us and ORK looks forward to continuing our collaboration to safeguard the waters of our basin for all its inhabitants.” 

During his more than 30 years as a leader of The Sapelo Foundation, Bagley worked to advance the civil and human rights of Georgia’s disenfranchised populations. Each year, he visited small nonprofit organizations in rural Georgia communities, supporting their work to advance social justice and progressive change. His focus inspired the grantmaking decisions of The Sapelo Foundation. 

“My father, Smith Bagley, believed deeply in the power of people to drive change—especially those who challenged injustice head-on. He admired organizations that weren’t afraid to speak hard truths or take bold risks in pursuit of a more just world,” noted Nicole Bagley, Immediate Past President of The Sapelo Foundation. “Ogeechee Riverkeeper reflects the courage, creativity, and conviction that defined his life’s work. I know he would be proud to see this award go to a group so deeply rooted in protecting people and a place they love—with unwavering integrity and fearlessness.” 

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 Sapelo Foundation: The Sapelo Foundation strives for a just Georgia, through partnerships and solutions that increase environmental protection, social prosperity, and civic power. With their grants, they support grantee partners that pursue power-building strategies, such as policy advocacy, civic engagement, and grassroots community organizing. More at sapelofoundation.org.

***

View images from the reception

08.2025 – Press Release – Smith Bagley Award

Press Releases ,

RELEASE: ORK marks World Photography Day with opening annual contest

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper August 19, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
08/19/2025
Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

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 Rivers watershed. 

The 2025 guest judge is Angela Hopper. She is a successful photographer and also owns The Bull Street Light Room, a professional studio space available for rental. As part of the prize package for the overall winner, Hopper is donating a 3-hour block at the studio, lighting and props included.

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. The photographs should highlight the area’s rich ecological features that provide vital habitats for over 160 rare plant and animal species. ORK encourages entries from all 20 counties within the watershed.

“We’re always excited to see what people submit,” said Meaghan Walsh Gerard, communications and administrative director. “I think my personal favorite, though, is funny wildlife. Those always make us chuckle.”

All submissions must be received by November 17, 2025, with winners announced in December 2025. For complete rules and submission guidelines, visit ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/annual-photography-contest. View past years’ entries: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ogeecheeriverkeeper/albums/

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 Angela Hopper Photography: Angela Hopper Photography specializes in photography of engagements, elopements, portraits, families, pets, food, and editorial subjects to cherish all of life’s precious moments. With award-winning services and genuine passion, she provides a wide range of professional and high-quality images that will last a lifetime. angelahopperphotography.com

***

PDF of release – 08.2025 – Press Release – photography contest

Blog Post, Press Releases , ,

RELEASE: GORA Request Reveals Hyundai Trucking Wastewater Offsite

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper March 6, 2025

03/06/25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

GORA REQUEST REVEALS HYUNDAI TRUCKING WASTEWATER OFFSITE
Wastewater created by industrial processes failed to meet pretreatment standards

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has been notified that wastewater created by the Hyundai Megasite’s industrial processes has been hauled away via tanker trucks since September 2024. Documents obtained through Georgia Open Records Act (GORA) requests reveal at least four months of trucking wastewater off-site.

The original plan – agreed to by the City of Savannah, Hyundai, JDA, and state and local regulators – was to send the industrial wastewater via miles of purpose-laid pipe to the City of Savannah’s wastewater treatment plant. This process quickly ceased when the wastewater did not meet the agreed-upon pretreatment standards needed for the City’s facilities to be able to effectively receive and safely treat it. The wastewater exceeded acceptable standards for pH, solids, and metals including copper and zinc. As a result, the City rejected further acceptance of the wastewater until it met standards. 

Additionally, Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) also became aware of a potential issue with Hyundai’s alternative approach. EPD sent a letter of concern, outlining potential issues with having this wastewater hauled away in tanker trucks, including the need for the wastewater to still meet the pretreatment standards at each individual public treatment facility within the State of Georgia. 

It is unclear where the trucks are taking the wastewater, what pretreatment standards those locations may require, and whether Hyundai can meet those standards or have received the necessary pretreatment permits. However, EPD did issue a Notice of Violation following its initial inquiries with Hyundai. 

Hyundai confirmed that its industrial wastewater was taken away by a number of third-party haulers. Hyundai has also since acknowledged that one hauler was taking the wastewater to a treatment plant that did not have the required permits for industrial wastewater. Hyundai said they ceased using that hauler when they learned of the issue.

Meanwhile, the City of Savannah and Hyundai corresponded on the problems and how to fix them. As of mid-February 2025, it is unclear if the City of Savannah’s pretreatment standards have been met by Hyundai or if the City has begun receiving the wastewater again.

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.

***

Download PDF of release

Download documents from GORA request (Batch 1)

Download additional documents from GORA request (Batch 2)