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.

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:

1. Go fishing as often as you like between Friday, Sept. 11th, and Sunday, Sept. 20th.
2. Take photos of your catch, and the anglers (yourself and/or your fishing buddies).
3. Submit your photos! You can submit up to 5 photos on each entry form, and you can submit 1 form per person per day during the contest period. The entry form will be available at satillariverkeeper.org/fish.html on September 11th.

Submitted photos will be shared in the Facebook event and an album on Satilla Riverkeeper's Facebook page.

Rules for "FISHING FOR FUN" Drawing

• Fish anywhere on the Satilla River, its tributaries, or estuary. Be sure to have permission to be on private property
• Participants are encouraged to fish in pairs (with a buddy) as a safety precaution, but also practice safe social distancing and take necessary health precautions
• You may enter up to 5 DIFFERENT photos per day with different fish in each photo. You can have multiple photos of the same species; just not the same fish. Your photos can have one fish or multiple fish in them. Each qualifying photo submitted equals one entry into the drawing.
• All entries and photos must be received by 5:00 PM on the day following the event; Monday, September 21st in order to be entered into the drawing.
• Remember: All anglers that are 16 years of age and older should have a current fishing license in their possession while fishing. All state and federal laws and regulations should be observed.

The drawing for prizes will be held Tuesday, September 22nd. Winners from the drawing and their prizes will be announced that same day on Satilla Riverkeeper's Facebook page.

“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.