 The Satilla River-Wide Cleanup is an annual tradition in which volunteers gather across the watershed at multiple public landings to remove trash from the river banks. This year, we did things a little differently, but volunteers had a huge impact on the Satilla! On Saturday, September 19th, over 40 volunteers tackled the trash at 13 different places across the watershed, removing over 1,000 pounds of debris. To keep with social distance guidelines, volunteers gathered in small groups and chose a site anywhere within the watershed to clean up. Despite being spread out, volunteers picked up similar items at each site. Plastic beverage bottles (432) and beverage cans (402) were the most littered items at all the sites. Some unusual items picked up included 4 televisions, a hospital wrist band, and glow sticks. It’s easy to say “Don’t litter,” but we also need to start thinking bigger: •What can we do to reduce the amount of waste we produce? •What do our local communities need to do to make sure the waste we produce is disposed of responsibly? Satilla Riverkeeper encourages all local governments in our watershed to think about these questions, and consider a thorough revision of their Solid Waste Management Plan. In counties where all residents are required to have curbside trash pick-up, there is no excuse for illegally dumping trash along roadsides or river banks. Trash service at popular public landings also helps reduce the amount of litter at these sites. The Satilla River Water Trail Partnership will continue to advocate for enforcement of littering and dumping fines at river landings, as well. We extend a HUGE THANK YOU to all the volunteers that dedicated time to cleaning up our shared Satilla, and to Republic Services and Ryland for donating dumpsters to help dispose of the trash properly.
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Press Release - For Immediate Release
Satilla Riverkeeper announces a free upcoming event for the whole family. Satilla Riverkeeper's "FISHING FOR FUN" promises to be an outdoor adventure that everyone can enjoy at their own pace anytime between Friday, September, 11th at 5:00 AM until Sunday, September, 20th at 7:00 PM. Satilla Riverkeeper has hosted the popular A.J. Strickland “King of the River” Tournament in previous years, but the public health guidelines concerning COVID-19 and group gatherings did not make it feasible this year. Instead, the nonprofit group hopes to bring some socially-distant outdoor fun to the community with the free event “Fishing For Fun!” “We're inviting our river friends to spend some time fishing on the beautiful Satilla, share photos of your catch with us, and have a chance to snag some great prizes in the process,” said Renee’ Choate, Satilla Riverkeeper’s Development and Event Director. Several prizes have been donated by local businesses, including a customized Satilla Spin rod and multiple gift cards. Prize winners will be drawn randomly from photo entries submitted by participants. 1 photo = 1 raffle ticket for the prize drawing. Size, species, nor the number of fish caught will influence your chances of winning. HOW TO ENTER:
Submitted photos will be shared in the Facebook event and an album on Satilla Riverkeeper's Facebook page. Rules for "FISHING FOR FUN" Drawing
“We hope that you enjoy this time of "Fishing For Fun!" at your own pace. Relax, take photos, make memories, breathe in the fresh air, and fish as much or as little as you like while you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Satilla River,” said Renee’ Choate. Sponsors of “Fishing for Fun!” include Satilla Feed & Outdoors, Douglas Rotary Club, Mainstreet Blackshear, PrimeSouth Bank, Dental Care Associates of Waycross. Prizes donated by Capt. Bert's Quality Lures, Winge's Bait and Tackle, Tractor Supply, Eagle Pawn Outfitters, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Bass Pro Shops, Lee Hardware, Addictive Aquatics, and Walmart.  Press Release – August 10,2020. For Immediate Release.
White Oak, GA Senator William Ligon was named Satilla Riverkeeper’s 2020 Conservationist of the Year during the organization’s first-ever Virtual Satilla Celebration on Saturday evening, August 8th. Satilla Riverkeeper’s Conservationist of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding accomplishments over their career towards protecting the environment in the Satilla River watershed. This year the Satilla Riverkeeper is proud to honor Senator William Ligon for his many contributions to the well-being of all citizens of the Satilla River watershed. His actions have helped keep the Satilla River clean and safe for fishing and swimming, our drinking water clean, and habitat for fish and wildlife productive. “His dedication to the environment and the communities of Southeast Georgia is evident, and we sincerely appreciate the strong example he has set as a public servant,” said Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper. This year, Sen. Ligon was successful in passing a bill that makes it less attractive to dump out-of-state coal ash in Georgia. Sen. Ligon also set the wheels in motion this year for a bill that would prevent any new landfills within 3 miles of blackwater rivers in the coastal plain. “Although the bill did not pass in the final days of the session, it brought a lot of attention to the importance of siting landfills properly, so they do not impact Georgia’s water resources,” said Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper. Over his tenure in the Georgia General Assembly, Sen. Ligon has made much progress in protecting the environment. His contributions include legislation that reduced fishing pressure on crabs, limited development on Jekyll Island, assured restoration of coastal fish habitat, protected coastal marshes with a buffer zone, encouraged the Coastal Georgia Greenway from St. Marys to Savannah, driven the need for buffers to protect streams and rivers, and assured the tire disposal fee in Georgia is spent properly. “I cannot say enough about Senator Ligon’s effort with the Satilla Riverkeeper, and a group of us: Fred Voigt, Wilton Deloach, and myself, to inspire the State of Georgia to join the US Army Corps of Engineers in an ecosystem restoration in the Satilla River estuary involving the closure of Noyes Cut,” said Dr. Clay Montague, a member of the Board of Directors, who presented the award on Saturday evening. Satilla Riverkeeper expects to see construction on this marsh restoration project begin next summer. The closure of manmade cuts in the Satilla River Estuary is expected to restore over 5,000 acres of habitat and improve recreational boating. Sen. Ligon joins Dr. Wayne Clough, Don Berryhill, Wade and Rosemary Strickland, Derby Waters, and Clay Montague in being named Satilla Riverkeeper’s Conservationist of the Year. The Satilla Riverkeeper® is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and educating about the ecologically unique Satilla River. For more information, please visit satillariverkeeper.org. Photo: Senator Ligon accepts the Conservationist of the Year award from a sandbar on the banks of the Satilla River. The entire video of the Virtual Satilla Celebration is available here: https://youtu.be/Gj5mRm11cYE (Presentation of award starts at 32:20) Press Release – July 17, 2020
For Immediate Release Satilla Riverkeeper and a team of dedicated volunteers conduct water quality sampling at 9 public landings on the Satilla River Water Trail. During the summer months, water quality samples are taken every 2 weeks. The most recent testing took place on Wednesday, July 15th. One of the parameters volunteers test is bacteria. The concentration of Escherichia coli (E. coli), a species of coliform bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract and feces of mammals, can be an indicator of the presence of other harmful bacteria or pathogens in the water. Site Bacteria Count. (cfu/100mL) Hwy 121 Nahunta 0 Us 84 Waycross 33 FFA Camp Landing 0 US 301 Nahunta 0 US 82 Ava Lightsey Strickland Landing 100 Warners Landing 33 Woodbine Waterfront Park 33 Why look specifically for E. coli? E. coli acts as an indicator species. If significant amounts of E. coli are found, there are most likely other bacteria such as disease-causing bacteria and viruses. However, this is not always the case. Just because there are colonies of E. coli found in the water does not mean that there are always the other harmful bacteria and viruses present. And vice versa, just because E. coli isn’t detected, it does not mean that the water ways are always safe. There is, however, a proven positive correlation with high levels of E. coli and illness and infection. How does E. coli enter our waterways? E. coli may enter our water ways through a variety of pathways. Agricultural runoff is a large contributor of E. coli into streams and rivers. Old and worn septic systems are another major player in E. coli introduction as they are likely to leak into the environment and ultimately into waterways. The last major contributor is through legacy bacteria. This is bacteria that has managed to remain in an area long after the site where it was created has been abandoned. During rain events, this bacteria is churned up into the water column with soil and manages to find its way into the water ways The Satilla Riverkeeper has run a five-week project, sampling sites along the Satilla River once a week for the duration of the five weeks. One day of each week has been used to sample and the following day has been used to read the results. The water samples were incubated for 24 hours. Even weekly sampling results may not always be accurate. Rain events immediately following sampling may lead to temporarily spiked levels of E. coli that could not be accounted for. All results of bacteria testing from the Satilla Riverkeeper are posted to Swim Guide. However, it is best to make decisions with one’s own judgement. If there has been a recent storm, chances are there are going to be higher levels of E. coli. If it has been a dry week, E. coli levels are probably low. By pairing the data found on Swim Guide with personal judgement based on these factors, one can ensure a safer trip to the Satilla River. In addition to monitoring bacteria levels, volunteers use the protocols developed by Georgia Adopt-A-Stream to monitor dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and conductivity. These water quality parameters serve to provide an early warning to the potential of nonpoint source contaminants in the Satilla River. Volunteers sample sites along the Satilla River on a monthly basis and report the data to Adopt-A-Stream (https://adoptastream.georgia.gov ). If you are interested in becoming a water quality monitoring volunteer, please contact Trish DuBose, [email protected]. Press Release - June 15, 2020
For Immediate Release Contact: Laura Early, Executive Director and Satilla Riverkeeper, [email protected] The Satilla River is a celebrated asset in the many communities it touches as it flows from its headwaters near Fitzgerald to the coast south of Jekyll Island. It is woven into the fabric of our culture, and contributes to our quality of life. For generations, Georgians have enjoyed fishing, exploring, paddling, swimming, playing, and relaxing in the blackwaters of the Satilla. The Satilla Riverkeeper with partners through the Georgia Coast Collaborative and Satilla River Water Trail Partnership are launching a survey this summer to gather information about how residents and visitors use the Satilla River for recreation. “Information from the survey will help us better understand the economic benefits to our local businesses resulting from this natural asset in our community – the Satilla River,” says Angela Manders, Director of the Pierce County Chamber of Commerce. The survey gives community members and visitors the opportunity to comment on which public landings they use, the kinds of recreational activities they take part in, whether they spend money at local businesses on their trips to the river, and what improvements need to be made to river landings. Anyone who completes the survey by July 31st will be entered into a drawing for one of several Satilla Riverkeeper hats and complimentary Satilla Riverkeeper memberships. Take the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/Satilla This survey is part of a larger project by the Georgia Coast Collaborative to share information on the state of coastal Georgia’s natural and cultural resources. Last month, the Collaborative launched the Coastal Resource Asset Barometer “CRAB,” a new online tool that evaluates environmental and economic indicators that impact our quality of life. Learn more at www.GeorgiaCoast.org ### The Satilla River Water Trail Partnership is a group of leaders from communities across the watershed who came together to establish the first official Satilla River Water Trail in 2016. A water trail is a series of public access points along the river, accompanied by information about how to safely and responsibly enjoy the waterway. The Satilla River Water Trail includes 13 river landings that spans about 140 river miles. More information is available at www.SatillaRiverWaterTrail.com Satilla Riverkeeper is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect, restore, and educate about the Satilla River, its tributaries, and terrestrial watershed. www.satillariverkeeper.org Press Release – May 18, 2020
For Immediate Release Contact: Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper [email protected] With Memorial Day weekend upon us, it is a sure sign that summer is about to be in full swing in South Georgia. As we begin to emerge from our shelters and seek to return to our summertime activities, it is important to know if your favorite swimming hole is safe before you take the plunge. Satilla Riverkeeper and a team of dedicated volunteers conduct water quality sampling at 9 public landings on the Satilla River Water Trail. One of the parameters volunteers test is bacteria. The concentration of Escherichia coli (E. coli), a species of coliform bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract and feces of mammals, can be an indicator of the presence of other harmful bacteria or pathogens in the water. Bacteria monitoring seeks to provide real-time information for safe recreational activities in and around the water, and results are available on the SwimGuide app for iPhone or Android, or at SwimGuide.org. A green “pin” at a swimming location indicates that the most recent bacteria sampling was within safe-swimming standards. A red pin indicates E. coli levels exceeded the safe swimming standards or there is not enough recent data to make a determination. Contact or consumption of water containing elevated E. coli levels may cause a variety of illnesses. Symptoms could range in severity from mild gastrointestinal discomfort such as diarrhea or nausea, to serious complications in small children and the elderly. Sources of E. coli range from wildlife and livestock to leaking pipes and failing septic systems. “It’s important that our community has access to clean water for swimming, boating, fishing, and paddling,” said Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper. “It is just as important for our community to have access to the information that let’s them know when water quality might pose a health risk.” In addition to monitoring bacteria levels, volunteers use the protocols developed by Georgia Adopt-A-Stream to monitor dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and conductivity. These water quality parameters serve to provide an early warning to the potential of nonpoint source contaminants in the Satilla River. Volunteers sample sites along the Satilla River on a monthly basis and report the data to Adopt-A-Stream (https://adoptastream.georgia.gov ). If you are interested in becoming a water quality monitoring volunteer, please contact Trish DuBose, [email protected]. ### The Satilla Riverkeeper is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2004 whose mission is to protect, restore, and educate about the unique and beautiful, blackwater Satilla River. To learn more about the Satilla Riverkeeper, membership opportunities, and how you can get involved with protecting YOUR Satilla River, visit www.SatillaRiverkeeper.org.  Press Release - For Immediate Release
Charlton County: Boy Scout, Leven Bufkin, led the efforts to design and construct the new informational kiosk at Burnt Fort public boat landing on the Satilla River in Charlton County as his Eagle Scout Project. The kiosk includes a map of the Satilla River Water Trail which provides information to help access and navigate the river safely and easily. The mission of the Satilla River Water Trail is to encourage residents and visitors to celebrate the historic, scenic and environmental richness of the Satilla River with a primary objective to introduce individuals to the Satilla River, particularly those who do not know of access locations and appropriate water conditions, by promoting a safe and positive experience on the river. The Satilla River Water Trail also serves to educate about the importance of the Satilla River waters and its associated wildlife. This program works to promote a sense of river appreciation, stewardship, responsibility, and interest in protecting this river for future generations. The kiosk also includes a panel that identifies key wildlife species to look for while out on the river and information about each species. Highlighted wildlife species include several Georgia Wildlife Action Plan priority species including the Swallow-tailed Kite, Little Blue Heron, Tri-colored Heron, manatee, Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon, American Shad, Gopher Tortoise, along with other native species that can be seen when accessing the river from Burnt Fort. The kiosk at Burnt Fort will share information about the nonalluvial (blackwater) river and swamps, as well as the tidal river and freshwater tidal marsh, high priority habitats which can be accessed from this public boat landing. Burnt Fort landing, directly off of Highway 252, gets a large amount of traffic each year. Visitors’ primary activities are boating, fishing, and camping. DNR creel surveys in 2014 estimated between 260 and 1050 anglers used this landing between April and October. This informational kiosk will increase awareness of the important habitats near them, and inspire visitors to actively look for wildlife. The Satilla Riverkeeper oversaw the project on behalf of the Satilla River Water Trail Partnership. Wayne Morgan contributed wildlife photographs for the informational signage. The kiosk was funded by the Georgia Wildlife Viewing Grant Program, and designed and constructed by volunteers with Boy Scout Troop 204. Included in the onsite photograph are: Jeannie Bufkin - Leven's mother, Laura Early - Satilla Riverkeeper, Wayne Morgan - Wayne Morgan Photography, Leven Bufkin - boy Scouts of America, Lynn Crews - Okefenokee Chamber, Hampton Raulerson - Charlton County, Jim Page – DNR, and Wilton DeLoach – Satilla Riverkeeper Board of Directors. The Satilla Riverkeeper® is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and educating about the ecologically unique Satilla River. For more information, please visit www.satillariverkeeper.org.  Press Release - For Immediate Release
Camden County-- Wendy Montague of Waverly, GA was named Volunteer of the Year at the Satilla Riverkeeper’s 2020 Roastin’ on the River on Saturday, February 22, 2020. The annual celebration was held at Cabin Bluff, the site of America’s oldest hunting retreat. Cabin Bluff is now part of a large conservation tract along the Satilla River estuary in northern Camden County. Wendy Montague is a long-time supporter and volunteer with Satilla Riverkeeper. Since becoming involved with Satilla Riverkeeper, Wendy Montague has led the silent auction at eight consecutive annual gala fundraising events, helping the organization raise over $90,000 to further our work to protect, restore, and educate about the Satilla River. Wendy has also lent a hand at multiple river cleanups, and offered much moral support and encouragement to the staff and board of directors. “Volunteers drive the mission of our organization forward, and we are proud to recognize Wendy Montague for her dedication over the past several years,” said Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper. As a small token of appreciation for all that Wendy has contributed, Satilla Riverkeeper gifted a framed photo of a patch of spider lilies, found along the banks of the blackwaters of the Satilla River. ### The Satilla Riverkeeper® is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and educating about the ecologically unique Satilla River. For more information, please visit www.satillariverkeeper.org. Photo 1: Wendy Montague (left) leads a team of volunteers at the 2018 Satilla Riverkeeper Gala. (L-R: Wendy Montague, Rachael Thompson, Emma-Leigh Evors, Laura Early, Callie Fritts, Clay Montague.) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 2nd 2019
Contact: Paulita Bennett-Martin, Oceana, 912.809.0097 [email protected] Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper, 912.462.5094, [email protected] Oceana Applauds Woodbine Georgia for Opposing Offshore Drilling and Exploration Woodbine, Georgia– Today Woodbine became the latest municipality in Georgia to unanimously pass a resolution against offshore drilling and exploration, including seismic airgun blasting. In total, 20 municipalities in Georgia have formally opposed offshore drilling activities along their coast. Woodbine also adds to the growing national opposition – more than 370 municipalities across the country oppose the expansion of oil and gas activities off their shores. In October, U.S. House of Representatives voted to permanently protect the Atlantic, Pacific and eastern Gulf of Mexico from dirty and dangerous offshore drilling. The Georgia delegation passed a state resolution opposed to offshore drilling and seismic testing in early 2019 which reflects the widespread opposition from cities like Woodbine. Oceana calls on Georgia’s Senators Isakson and Perdue to lead on legislation to ensure offshore drilling cannot get one inch closer to our shores. “Georgia’s oceans and coast are of global significance and we know this. Our communities will not be safe until the administration reverses its dangerous and ill-informed proposal of drilling in the Atlantic” said Paulita Bennett-Martin, Oceana’s Georgia representative. “We are proud of Woodbine for joining Kingsland and St. Marys in voicing their concern for the dangers that offshore drilling and seismic testing would bring to our coast,” said Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper. Numerous fishing and tourism interests – including local chambers of commerce, tourism and restaurant associations, all three East Coast Fishery Management Councils, and an alliance representing over 42,000 businesses and 500,000 fishing families – have expressed concern with offshore drilling and exploration, citing threats to marine life, coastal communities and local economies. Finally, the Department of Defense, U.S. Airforce, NASA have also raised concerns that expanded offshore oil and gas development would threaten their ability to perform critical training and testing activities. For more information, please visit www.StopTheDrill.org. Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one third of the world’s wild fish catch. With over 200 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that one billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. To learn more about Oceana’s work in the United States, please visitusa.oceana.org. Press Release - September 21st, 2019
Satilla Riverkeeper is proud to report that our river wide cleanup effort on Saturday, September 21st was a success! Volunteers came out to 11 sites stretched across over 200 miles of river, from the headwaters in Douglas (Coffee County) to the estuaries in Camden and Glynn Counties. 130 volunteers came out at 9AM on Saturday morning. Volunteers picked up trash along the riverbanks for 2 hours before heading to Twin Oaks Bluegrass Park for a complimentary lunch provided by Chick-fil-a of Waycross and a celebration of all the hard work. “Volunteering to give back to the community in any way is a vital part of improving a society,” said volunteer Cheston Bromell, resident of Glynn County who volunteered at the Turtle River site on Highway 99. “We all have an obligation, in my mind, to help to improve our area if we want a more beautiful and enriching place to live.” This year, Satilla Riverkeeper introduced some friendly competitions between the 11 cleanup sites. The largest volunteer crew was led by the Pierce Chamber of Commerce at the public landing at Ga-121 between Blackshear and Hoboken. 65 volunteers covered ground on both sides of the river, pulling out everything from mattress springs to common litter items like bottles and cans. Students from Patterson Elementary and Pierce County Middle School contributed a lot of hard work and some optimism for the future. Volunteers directed their attention to a small, but potent litter problem, the cigarette butt. The volunteers at the Woodbine Riverwalk tallied the most cigarette butts, at 186! Across all 11 cleanup sites, volunteers tallied 850 cigarette butts. Cigarette butts are the most commonly littered item in the nation. Contrary to common belief, the butts are made of plastic and do not easily degrade in the environment. The butt also contains concentrated toxins filtered out of the smoke. These toxins leach out into the water body, harming fish and other wildlife. There were several unusual items picked up during the cleanup this year. Keeley Rhae Johnson, Alana Watkins, and Ashley Carter took home the people’s choice award for “weirdest find” for the tarot card, candle and $5 cash they found at the Ga-121 landing. A VHS tape found at Jamestown Landing was a close runner up. Popular river access points along the Satilla River are known for their chronic trash problems. Trash negatively impacts the river’s water quality, the public’s recreational experience, wildlife, fishes, and eventually makes its way to the ocean impacting marine life as well. The Satilla Riverkeeper hopes that through continued cleanup efforts such as these we will help bring awareness to the issue. “These cleanup efforts make such a huge impact in a single day,” said Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper. “In addition to removing the trash, we hope it also brings attention to the issue and gets us as a community thinking about long term solutions to prevent trash from getting to the river in the first place.” A large portion of the items volunteers pick up are single-use disposable items such as plastic grocery bags, plastic beverage bottles, styrofoam cups, disposable forks, straws, etc. “Can we as a society and individuals change our habits to create less waste in the first place?” Early asks. This event was conducted in partnership with Rivers Alive, Georgia's annual volunteer waterway cleanup event that targets all waterways in the State including streams, rivers, lakes, beaches, and wetlands. The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia's water resources. In addition to partnering with Rivers Alive, Satilla Riverkeeper would like to thank the following community partners that contributed to our efforts and helped make this event a success: Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, Friends of the Satilla River; Keep Brantley Beautiful and Litter Free; Pierce County Chamber of Commerce; South Georgia Regional Commission; Republic Services; Advanced Disposal; Local Waste Services; American Rivers; Chick-fil-a Waycross; Twin Oaks Bluegrass Park; Yarbrough’s Printing; Seven Rivers; Lee Hardware, Waycross; Frosty Freeze, Nahunta; Earth Inspired Kids; Kingfisher Paddleventures; and Blackshear Church of God. If you would like to host your own river cleanup for your family, school, church, or scout group, contact the Satilla Riverkeeper at (912) 462-5094 or [email protected]. Be sure to ‘Like’ Satilla Riverkeeper on Facebook or Follow us on Instagram! Satilla Riverkeeper is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2004 whose mission is to protect, restore and educate about the unique and beautiful black-water Satilla River. To learn more about our work, visit www.satillariverkeeper.org |
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