February Riverkeeper Roundup**CORRECTION***

February Field Trips

Explore your Appalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Basin

Join us on an eco-educational outing led by our dedicated outings volunteers who will share history and ecology tidbits along the way. Group size is limited and registration required. Send us a note to sign up and get meet up details: [email protected]

February 17: Garden of Eden Hike

Trek with ARk volunteer and author Doug Alderson, through longleaf uplands, steep head ravines and slope forest and view the Apalachicola River from a high bluff while learning more about one of North America's most important biological hotspots.

February 24: , Fourth Saturday Paddle

We'll explore Donar Landing to Bristol. This river stretch will take us past Alum Bluff, the l argest exposed section of the earth's crust in Florida. You can paddle nearly the entirety of the Apalachicola River over the course of 2018. Join our Fourth Saturday Paddles.

Also happening this month:

February 5: Catching the Sun, Movie Night with Big Bend Sierra Club

February 15: Shorebirds of the Apalachicola System, with Apalachee Audubon

February 16: Oysters 101 at Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve

February 17: Migratory Bird walk with Audubon Florida at Bald Point State Park

Visit our Website

2018 River Conference

Details Here
Join conservation partners and Keynote Speaker, Bob Graham for a national conference focusing on the Apalachicola Riverkeeper. March 14-16. This conference will bring renewed attention to the ecological, cultural and economic importance of the Apalachicola River, Floodplain and Bay and strengthen efforts to ensure the sustainability of this resource for current and future generations. #apalachicolariverconference #apalachicolariverandbay #apalachicolariver

News & Updates

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US Supreme Court

The US Supreme Court heard arguments in the FL. vs. GA case on January 8. T he Justices will determine whether to uphold or modify the earlier decision of the Special Master or send the case back to a Special Master. Dan Tonsmeire attended the hearing in DC. More news links here . A ruling is expected later this year.

Equitable sharing of the water is possible and we hope that the justices' decision will set us on that path. The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Stakeholders produced a Sustainable Water Management Plan which outlines a set of ACF basin actions taken together as a starting point.

Oil Drilling in Calhoun County

In January, the County passed a comp plan change to agriculture land, opening much of Calhoun to oil drilling. Potential accidents or oil spills could threaten wetlands, critical habitats and endanger drinking water supply. Apalachicola Riverkeeper submitted a list of recommendations to mitigate risk to natural habitat and drinking water supply, though none were adopted by the county.

Save the Date, Annual Member Meeting April 7 in Apalachicola

As you know, Dan Tonsmeire will be retiring in 2018. Dan has served as the Apalachicola Riverkeeper since 2004. Yes! We will have a Send Off Party following our Annual Member Meeting on April 7, to thank Dan for all his work.

Attending the meeting? We suggest renewing your membership today. Current members vote on elections at the meeting. Dan's Party, a catered dinner will follow the meeting. Please watch for email updates including sponsorship opportunities.

Join us with a big welcome to new board members Mary Balthrop of St. Teresa and Yvonne Gsteiger of Tallahassee.

And, just Look What We Did in 2017 with your generous membership contributions.

We headed into 2018 fired up and will continue the essential work you expect of us. Together, let's continue our work to protect and restore Apalachicola River and Bay.

Thank you for your continued support!