Tag: Volunteer

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Volunteer Spotlight: Karen Ferguson

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 24, 2026

Karen recently joined and chose volunteer with ORK after participating in our Georgia Master Naturalist program. Her focus is helping us with educational and outreach opportunities.

Like a river traces to its source, my passion for the outdoors started as a kid in Scouts in Virginia. After time in the U.S. Air Force and classroom, I merged my interests into environmental education.

When our most recent move brought us to Georgia, I was looking for a place to put down new roots. I took ORK’s outstanding 2025 Georgia Master Naturalist course and knew I’d found a new home.

At a waterfall in Iceland

I volunteer whenever I have an opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences at events and through programs. My hope is to start a spark in someone else, so they see the benefits of being outdoors, and become passionate about protecting our rivers and the habitats around them.

I’ve gotten just as much from my volunteering, connecting with people with different interests that opened new paths and friendships. You never know what experiences will come from volunteering. Through a previous volunteer position, I had the opportunity to release a rehabilitated eagle after riding with it in my lap for 1.5 hours. This week, I’m leading an ORK program for students on macroinvertebrates at the same location I studied them with the Master Naturalist course.

Volunteering is like the ever-changing Ogeechee river: you think you know where you’ll end up, but the real adventure is along the way.

-Written by Karen Ferguson

You can help Ogeechee Riverkeeper in a number of ways, regardless of your expertise. Learn how you can volunteer with ORK.

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Volunteer Spotlight: Kathleen and Solomon

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 20, 2026

Kathleen has been an Adopt-A-Landing volunteer for more than five years. She and her grandson Solomon pick up litter at the Morgan’s Bridge landing at the Chatham/Bryan County line.

The view from the Morgan’s Bridge landing

I decided to be an Ogeechee Riverkeeper volunteer because I like exploring wild places. Seeing the river and its beautiful surroundings, through every season, is the best part of going to Morgan Bridge.

During cleanups, I’ve seen families gather on the beach and swim, folks fishing from shore, and trucks and boat trailers coming to the boat ramp to put in and spend time on the river. There have been canoes, kayaks, and jet skis, too.

Solomon with trash bag and picker

In talking with visitors, I’ve learned the history of the bridge. Several people who bring their grandchildren here tell me of coming to the Ogeechee River at a young age, back when Morgan’s Bridge was a steel bridge upriver, before they built the current bridge. The keystone over the current bridge shows it was built in 1975.

In recent years, my 6-year old grandson, Solomon, has joined me at the Ogeechee River. He loves working hard, picking up litter and keeping it out of the river where it can harm fish and other creatures that live in the river basin. Allowing young kids an opportunity to create a bond with nature at a cherished place inspires them to find ways to protect the water and land.

Solomon enjoys the sunshine and playing at the water’s edge, seeing what’s floating on the water. It’s a place to be curious and explore the outdoors. There’s a tire swing someone hung from underneath the bridge this year – a great way to relax after our cleanup.

I treasure time at Morgan Bridge each month with my grandson and come away feeling grateful for making good memories, the chance to connect with nature, and being good stewards of the Ogeechee River.

– Written by Kathleen K.

You can help Ogeechee Riverkeeper in a number of ways, regardless of your expertise. Learn how you can volunteer with ORK.

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Safe Water Together Clean-up Drive

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 10, 2026

The Institute for Water and Health is seeking volunteers to help with a community debris clean-up of the Wilshire Canal, a tributary to the Vernon River. This event is in awareness of World Environment Day, we aim to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment. Gloves and trash collection bags will be provided for the volunteers. All volunteers must register via the registration link. In addition, you will need to sign a waiver when you arrive on the morning of the event.

This event is organized by the Institute for Water and Health. 

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Adopt-A-Stream Training

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper December 18, 2025

Become a citizen scientist, collecting water samples and testing for chemical levels in your neighborhood. You’ll be an ORK volunteer, helping to collect vital scientific information to keep our waterways protected.

This training is free. Registration is required.

Participants should bring their own lunch, water, and notebook. All classroom materials will be provided. Registrants will receive an email with detailed directions and information.

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Don’t Litter Lotts Cleanup

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper December 16, 2021

Jump into the creek with KSBB and Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) by participating in our bi-monthly creek cleanup.

Location: 1 Max Lockwood Dr, Statesboro, GA 30458

Parking can be found at the Honey Bowen Building or along Zetterower Ave.

Register by signing the waivers.

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