Raining Rocks on the Muckalee-Kinchafoonee Creek. Join our weekend paddle Feb 28- March 2!

Dear River Protector,

Happy New Year! Georgia's legislative session is underway, registration is open for river adventure trips, and tickets are available for our annual Mardi Gras Benefit Party. And we're just getting started!

Georgia Rivers is at the state capitol advocating for legislation to protect Okefenokee's Trail Ridge from mining and protect right of passage down all streams capable of floating boats. Read on to learn more about our legislative priorities for the 2025-2026 session.

Registration is now open for Spring on the St. Marys, four other spring weekend adventures, and our full slate of day trips. Secure your spot today!

I can't wait to see your swamp style at our annual Mardi Gras Benefit Party on Fat Tuesday, March 4! Join us at Fire Maker Brewing in Atlanta to get fired up about protecting the Okefenokee and increasing water trails across the state.

As always, thank you for supporting our work and speaking up to protect Georgia rivers.

Yours in river recreation and conservation, 

Rena Ann Peck

Executive Director

Upcoming Events

Stay Tuned for the Georgia Rivers Training Calendar!

Registration will open for all 2025 kayak and water safety classes on March 1.

Paddle Scholarships Are Available! 

Through funding from our many supporters and sponsors, Georgia Rivers is offering scholarships that provide full and partial complimentary registrations for qualifying individuals. Priority will be given to women, people of color, recent immigrants to the U.S. and low income individuals and families.

The Georgia General Assembly started January 13 and will conclude April 4. Follow our legislative updates and get ready to take action during the legislative session!

Georgia Rivers will advocate for bills that will place a moratorium on mining Okefenokee's Trail Ridge and recognize Georgia's long tradition of protecting public passage down all streams capable of floating boats.

Subscribe to our special "Protect Georgia Rivers" emails for in-depth coverage on our priority issues, a roundup of our top news articles, and ways you can take action.

Keep reading for quick updates on our legislative priorities for the 2025-2026 session.

Legislation to Protect Public Waterway Passage

Georgia Rivers is currently working to get legislation introduced in the Georgia General Assembly that will affirm the state's long-standing common law tradition of permitting boating passage down all streams capable of floating recreational watercraft.

This effort follows a special House study committee on navigable streams which recommended a “keep the status quo” approach to Georgia's boating laws. Maintaining the status quo will endanger small outdoor recreation businesses and will lead to more streams being closed to the public. 

The good news is the House study committee also recommended that the legislature NOT create a list of navigable and non-navigable streams, a move that could have greatly limited where the public can legally float down the state's streams. 

Hear Georgia Rivers executive director Rena Ann Peck and board member Durrell Smith discuss the history of right of passage in Georgia, the debate over navigable streams, and rights for hunting and fishing.

Approval to expand the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge boundary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) approved the plan to expand the acquisition boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

This plan authorizes the FWS to purchase or conserve additional land around the Okefenokee. However, the decision remains entirely with current landowners who can choose to sell their land, donate it for conservation, or retain ownership without any changes.

"The move is a step toward protecting more land around the swamp, and it received approval from one of the largest advocacy groups fighting for the conservation of the Okefenokee Swamp — Georgia Rivers."

Read the full article on the Saporta Report.

Threats to the Okefenokee just keep coming

Executive Director Rena Ann Peck recently wrote an opinion piece for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to warn of future mining threats to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

"Twin Pines might get a permit for its controversial mining plan to dig 50 feet into 582 acres into Trail Ridge, on the border of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge — but there’s another threat."

Mining on the Toledo Manufacturing property would bring mining operations to the edge of the swamp and to depths actually below the water table of the swamp. All mining must be prohibited on Trail Ridge.

How did you celebrate New Year's Day? The whitewater community hosted their annual Chili Run on the Cartecay River!

Each year, nearly 300 paddlers, instructors, and outfitters join in the fun to paddle thrilling runs and then warm up with a hot bowl of chili. It's been tradition since 1982!

Jeff Little ‪‪@TheLittleStuff‬‬ tagged along this year and met several leaders of various paddling organizations in the area.

This annual event could be canceled if the legislature prohibits right of passage on rivers like the Cartecay. Join the whitewater community to speak up to protect the freedom to float any river or stream capable of floating a boat.

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