Citizen Water Quality Monitoring
Programs like Georgia Adopt-A-Stream provide individuals and groups with tools, training, and technical support to monitor non-point source pollution and water quality issues and improve sections of streams, wetlands, lakes or estuaries. This valuable partnership provides us with a broadened base of vigilance and data. Citizen Cases Savannah Riverkeeper responds case-by-case to citizens' complaints and reports of pollution. Depending on the issue, we may remediate by: sending out a team or staff member for investigation, sampling, or cleanup; putting pressure on officials to enforce a code or law; offering resources or information; directing the citizen to the proper agency; connecting citizens who want to organize; or otherwise assist in reaching a solution. Click Here to Report a Problem Community and Waterway Cleanups Trash, debris, tires and other refuse that doesn’t get disposed of properly becomes a nuisance and worse, ends up in our waterways. Savannah Riverkeeper performs regular cleanups both on the water and around the community, and helps facilitate when individuals, schools, clubs, or other groups wish to organize a cleanup project. To learn more about upcoming cleanup events, visit us on Facebook or click here. To host your own cleanup, you can click here. Rapid Response When there is a fish kill, oil spill, flood or other incident involving local waterways, officials call on us because they trust us. We follow Waterkeeper Alliance’s Rapid Response Protocol: connecting and collaborating with authorities to offer expertise, conduct necessary sampling, document the impacts, alert the news media and public, and otherwise assist in coordinating the proper course of action to reach a solution. Legislative Engagement Savannah Riverkeeper is a stakeholder and advocate for decisions that will have the greatest positive impact on the health and vitality of our watershed. We lobby for strong water policy and initiatives in both Georgia and South Carolina, independently as well as within coalition groups, and in compliance with 501(c)3 guidelines. Pollution Control and Prevention Savannah Riverkeeper employs a unique grassroots approach to addressing water quality issues that relies on citizen reporting and investigation. We serve as a link between people and agencies to enforce local and state regulations, the Clean Water Act and other federal rules, encourage good business and development practices, and more. Simply put, we hold polluters accountable to maintain fishable, swimmable, drinkable water for all. In conjunction with our cleanup program, we take steps to collaborate with city departments and other entities to address litter and waste issues and violations. Click Here to Report a Problem Savannah River Education & Recreation Center Our headquarters are housed on 14 acres of riverfront in downtown Augusta, GA, in dire need of rehabilitation. We are working in a variety of ways to restore and clean up both the existing building and land, and have made great progress. Our final vision for the Savannah River Education & Recreation Center is a place for the community to learn about and experience their own Savannah River. Building plans include classrooms, public meeting space and a resource library for river-related learning, and the entire site will be a model for innovative stormwater solutions and renewable energy. Meanwhile, the grounds will be home to a public canoe and kayak launch, fishing access, bike trails, wooded disc golf course, camping space and more. |
Volunteer and Community Service Program For more than fifteen years we have cultivated an invaluable network of ground support, volunteers and “river rats,” who make our vision possible. We also partner with local judicial systems to host work projects for individuals completing court-ordered community service. We believe connecting with the river builds character and respect for nature. We take pride in offering the opportunity to work towards their own rehabilitation while supporting a mission that serves the entire community. Click here to learn more about volunteering. Veterans for Clean Water With veterans as leaders, we are developing a network of volunteers to conduct water quality testing throughout the watershed. Using the Swim Guide mobile app and our website, we will report on a growing number of sites to let the public know when they are safe for recreation, or when they're at risk. The program pairs up our mission to respect, protect, and improve the Savannah River, while offering veteran volunteers the the opportunity to get in the field and learn valuable skills to defend our waterways. Learn more about the program here. Educational Opportunities Educating the public is a crucial part of what we do. Whether it’s through an informative presentation to a class, club or civic group; a hands-on activity at Earth Day or other community fair; or a variety of speaking engagements; we will never turn down an opportunity to raise awareness about issues facing the Savannah River. There are many lessons to learn about the ways we depend on and interact with our waterways. If interested in setting up a presentation for your group please us: Click Here to EMAIL Waterway Patrols Savannah Riverkeeper patrols the Savannah River and its tributaries on our trusty our 30-foot vessel the Tidal Boar. Conducting regular visual scans and water quality sampling as needed, we respond to citizen complaints and keep a watchful eye on impacts to the watershed from erosion and sedimentation issues to illegal dumping of all kinds. Paddle Outings With the Savannah's scenic creeks and sprawling marshes, canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding are some of the best ways to get to know your watershed. Savannah Riverkeeper hosts outings throughout the year in both the Augusta and Savannah areas. These are fun and educational guided tours, free to SRK members, introducing paddlers of all levels to new and under-explored routes. |