Savannah riverkeeper

Savannah Riverkeeper: Protecting and Restoring the Savannah River Watershed

Savannah Riverkeeper is a nonprofit advocacy organization that has been working tirelessly to protect and restore the Savannah River watershed for over two decades. The organization was founded in 2001 by Tonya Bonitatibus, who saw the need for a dedicated group of individuals to advocate for the health of this vital waterway.

The Savannah River watershed covers over 10,000 square miles across Georgia and South Carolina, encompassing numerous tributaries and wetlands. It is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including endangered species such as the shortnose sturgeon and wood stork. The river also serves as a source of drinking water for millions of people in both states.

Unfortunately, like many rivers across the country, the Savannah has faced numerous threats over the years. Pollution from industrial facilities, agricultural runoff, sewage spills, and other sources have all taken their toll on this important waterway. In addition to these human-caused problems, natural disasters such as hurricanes have also caused significant damage to the river ecosystem.

This is where Savannah Riverkeeper comes in. The organization's mission is threefold: restoration, protection, and education. Through its various programs and initiatives, it works to improve water quality throughout the watershed while also advocating for policies that will help prevent future pollution.

One key aspect of Savannah Riverkeeper's work is its monitoring program. Staff members regularly test water samples from throughout the watershed to identify potential sources of pollution or other issues that could harm aquatic life or human health. This data helps inform advocacy efforts aimed at holding polluters accountable while also guiding restoration projects.

Another important component of Savannah Riverkeeper's work is community outreach and education. The organization hosts regular events such as river cleanups and educational workshops designed to raise awareness about environmental issues facing our region's rivers and streams.

In addition to these grassroots efforts on behalf of local communities along with their partners they are able to make an impact at higher levels too - advocating for stronger regulations at state & federal levels; engaging with industry leaders; collaborating with other organizations working towards similar goals; providing expert testimony during legal proceedings related environmental issues etc..

Overall,Savannah Riverkeeper plays an essential role in protecting one of our region's most valuable resources - our rivers & streams- through its tireless advocacy work focused on restoration & protection along with educating communities about how they can help preserve these vital ecosystems too!