Headed into 2018 
Dear Friends and Supporters,

THANK YOU for the generous end-of-year donations that we've received in the past few weeks.  We are grateful. These funds support our advocacy, collaborative research, along with essential outreach and education work. We are a more than half-way to our end-of-year goal!


As we head into the New Year, we want to share some quick updates. 
Click on underlined text for more information.

As you know, Dan Tonsmeire will be retiring in 2018.  Georgia Ackerman and Diane Hines have joined the Apalachicola Riverkeeper  team this month.  To ensure a seamless transition,  Georgia and Dan will work together in the coming weeks as she gets up to speed in her new role as Riverkeeper-Executive Director.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the FL. vs. GA case on January 8.  T he Justices will determine whether to modify or uphold the decision made by the Special Master earlier this year.  We continue efforts to protect the river, wetlands, and groundwater from oil and gas exploration in Calhoun County. There is another important Calhoun County meeting on January 9. And, the legal challenge to the Army Corps Water Control Manual update is progressing.  

Look for updates on Facebook  and Twitter ,  too.

Thank you for your continued support!
Look What We Did Together!

As we wrap up a bustling holiday season, rapidly approaching the New Year, we invite you to slow down . Way down! Go play at the beach or hike along the river's edge. Visit a favorite outdoor spot and surround yourself with some of nature's restorative power. Pause to consider the difference that we make together.
 
And, as you reflect on the significance of Apalachicola River and Bay,
please consider a financial, end-of-year contribution to Apalachicola Riverkeeper --knowing that your funds will be put to the critical work of advocacy, education, outreach and collaborative research work to protect this American treasure.  Because of supporters like you, in 2017 Apalachicola Riverkeeper:
  • Launched the Apalachicola River Project, a collaborative, interdisciplinary partnership with Florida State University and conservation partners. More than 150 students participated in eco-educational outings and classroom presentations. 
  • Embarked on a film documentary partnership with FSU's School of Communication and WFSU Public Media through a grant from the Florida Humanities Council.
  • Remained committed to better water management practices through consensus-building and collaboration among the water interests in Georgia, Florida and Alabama - the states that share the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin through on-going work in the ACF Stakeholders. 
  • Worked with riparian county governments and other citizen groups to bring attention to the potential and lasting impacts of deep-injection and oil and gas wells on our rivers, streams and groundwater.
  • Concluded a collaborative research project in partnership with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the University of Florida. 
  • Stood up to the Army Corps of Engineers by legally challenging their Environmental Impact Study.
  • Led our 10th Annual RiverTrek public outreach and fundraising campaign. Volunteer paddlers from Georgia and Florida completed a 5-day kayaking journey along the entirety of the Apalachicola River in October, meeting with history, geology and ecology experts along the way.
  • Removed nearly 4 tons of trash in a single day from the shores and waters of Apalachicola River and Bay, alongside 400+ volunteers in Franklin and Gadsden counties, as part of the annual lnternational Coastal Clean-Up. 
As you can see, Apalachicola Riverkeeper remains actively and fully committed to our mission.
 

This will greatly help us head into 2018, fired up and ready to continue the essential work you expect of Apalachicola Riverkeeper, especially as we await the United States Supreme Court hearing on January 8. With your support, we can continue our steadfast work to protect and restore Apalachicola River and Bay. 
 
Thank you for the opportunity to work on your behalf to protect Apalachicola River and Bay. The staff and board of Apalachicola Riverkeeper wish you and your family a joyful New Year. We hope to see you on the water!
 
For the River and Bay,
Georgia Ackerman, Diane Hines, Susan Macken and Dan Tonsmeire

Save the Date
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 in Tallahassee, Florida. 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.
Riverkeeper Blog
by George Willson
Here are links to recent posts.

apalachicolariverkeeper.org