The Altamaha RIVERKEEPER (ARK)
www.altamahariverkeeper.org
P.O.Box 2642, Darien, GA, 31305
912-437-8164

The Altamaha Riverkeeper is working to protect and restore the habitat, water quality, and flow of the mighty Altamaha - from its headwaters in the Oconee, Ocmulgee, and the Ohoopee to its terminus at the Atlantic Coast.

Starting in the foothills of the Georgia mountains, the Altamaha River watershed sends 100,000 gallons of water to the Atlantic Ocean every second. Where it meets the coast, the Altamaha watershed creates beautiful beaches, one of the most productive estuary habitats in the country, and food for thousands of migratory birds.

Now is your chance to help one of Georgia's most valuable natural resources.

Wendell Berryhill, an Altamaha Riverkeeper volunteer, is one of four finalists in the 2006 Conservationist of the Year contest, sponsored by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Budweiser! Wendell is the only Georgian selected to be a finalist in the contest. Budweiser will award the winner of the contest (chosen by popular vote) a $50,000 grant to give to the conservation group of his/her choice. If Wendell wins, he will give the money to support the work of the Altamaha Riverkeeper.

Please help us protect Georgia's largest watershed by taking time now to personally vote for Wendell, encourage others to vote for him, and forward this information to your organization's members so they can vote as well.

Wendell spent much of his life hunting and fishing. At an early age, he learned to navigate the Ocmulgee River near his rural hometown of Cochran, Georgia, and to catch every kind of fish that swam in it. Wendell loves the rivers and all the animals that call his watershed home. He is and always has been anxious to share his insatiable appetite for fishing and his love of nature with others. By taking our family, friends, neighbors and hundreds of others, he shared his knowledge and fondness of the outdoors.

Berryhill did not set out to be a conservationist but when he saw his river polluted with litter, sewage, and dirt, he did something about it. In 1999, when the Altamaha Riverkeeper began, he volunteered and has been working ever since to protect his river. He follows up on water pollution problems and assists the Altamaha Riverkeeper in field research, site investigations, and in the collection of water samples. His boating skills helped investigate hundreds of sites from the water and his expertise on fish is utilized to document aquatic species impacted by poor water quality. By working to enforce practices to protect stream corridors for wildlife habitat and humans, Wendell's fieldwork has supported five successful Clean Water Act cases leading to improved water quality in Georgia.

In ARK's presentations to sportsmen clubs throughout Middle Georgia, Wendell shares his attitude that sportsmen can be conservationists. He inspires sportsmen to become better stewards of the outdoors by encouraging them to report problems in the watershed, whether it is a polluted stream or a devastated wetland. Wendell encourages fishermen, and hunters to do their part to preserve the sport for the future. His efforts are creating new and vocal advocates for the protection of Georgia's water resources.

Having Wendell selected as a finalist in this competition is a big honor and Wendell earned every bit of it. It is recognition of a tireless volunteer and an opportunity to gain financial support for protection of Georgia's Altamaha River watershed.

Please cast your vote for Wendell today! We appreciate your help to protect our 14,000-square-mile watershed.

You must be 21 years of age or older to vote. Votes can be cast in two ways: ONLINE VOTING or by mail.

Voting is now closed. New contest coming soon.

Thank you for your help.

The Altamaha Riverkeeper is making our watershed a healthier place to live by assisting citizens with water quality problems, educating the public on recognizing and reporting pollution, and improving water quality enforcement. By visiting and documenting problem sites then following up with reports to regulatory agencies, ARK works to identify the sources and to stop pollution to protect our waterways for all of the inhabitants, human and wildlife. Our work conserves the environment and protects public resources, which promotes a sustainable economy. Through over 700 site visits helping people, the Altamaha Riverkeeper is connecting citizens, media, and decision makers with local, state, and federal agencies to solve water quality problems. Together we are improving water quality for thousands of people. For more information, please see our website: www.altamahariverkeeper.org or call the Altamaha Riverkeeper at 912-437-8164. Our address is Altamaha Riverkeeper, P. O. Box 2642, Darien, GA 31305.