Ogeechee Riverkeeper®

Newsletter
January 2022

Ogeechee Riverkeeper welcomes its first research fellow

ORK has launched a new research fellowship to be filled each year. In 2022, fellow is Brian Bush, a first-year graduate student at Georgia Southern University, pursuing a master’s degree in biology. The fellowship is underwritten by investments secured from the 2011 fish kill settlement. 

The Ogeechee River Basin is home to 16 different native crayfish species, including Procambarus petersi, an endemic species commonly called the Ogeechee Crayfish. The project aims to document riverine crayfish populations. Bush will lead the research project with the supervision of Dr. Checo Colón-Gaud, Ph.D.

Welcome, Victoria!

ORK is also excited to welcome its 2022 spring semester intern Victoria Clower. She is currently a second year master’s degree student in the public health program at Georgia Southern University, focusing on environmental health sciences. There she has focused on air quality and occupational health. She will assist with monitoring outreach efforts. 

Adopt-A-Stream training

ORK will host an Adopt-a-Stream training for chemical and bacterial monitoring at the Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center in Guyton on February 5. New citizen scientists or those seeking recertification are encouraged to attend. The training is free. Pre-registration is required.

Dirty Dozen report

Milliken and GA EPD are again on Georgia Water Coalition’s Dirty Dozen list. In the past seven years, the textile facility has violated its existing pollution control permit at least 35 times and been fined more than $350,000. This includes 11 permit violations since the draft permit was issued in November 2020.  GA EPD has not required additional testing or monitoring, and it still hasn't issued a permit. 

New hat colors!

A supersoft, all fabric baseball cap style cap with a low profile crown. The twill is garment washed and the faux leather patch sports the ORK logo. We have added an olive with khaki bill, a medium blue to the mint color. Grab yours now!

January is for new intentions

Do you find it hard to make and keep New Year’s resolutions? Try setting a “seasonal intention” instead. Use your creativity and science skills to come up with ways you can help the environment and track your success.  

River landings need you to adopt them!

ORK needs your help keeping our busy landings clear of litter and trash. We encourage families to 'adopt' a spot along the river and do a cleanup about once a month. If you are interested, check out these spots, or suggest your own, and volunteer by emailing melanie@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.