Happy Halloween todd,

October was a busy month!

Our Toast to Clean Water event was a big success! Your engagement and support will ensure we are able to continued our critical work - To protect the St. Marys River now and for our future! Photos are still coming in, keep an eye on our BLOG to revisit the fun. Be sure to tag us in any pictures you took at the event - @stmarysriverkeeper

In addition to our Toast event we were up to lots more this month! We've been out in the community all across the watershed, having fun and raising awareness about our important work.

From the Okefenokee Fest in Folkston, GA to Kings Bay for their annual Family Fishing Tournament, we've enjoyed these beautiful days talking about cleanup opportunities and water quality testing and supporting our resilient communities. We also had break in the rain for our St. Marys River Boat Tour on Oct. 5!

We were also happy to participate in Sing Out Loud with the Live Wildly Foundation to emphasize the critical role of preserving wild Florida—the distinctive natural environments and wildlife that make Florida a captivating place. The Florida Wildlife Corridor exemplifies the significant natural areas, water bodies, and wildlife that Live Wildly is dedicated to protecting. AND it extends into our Watershed! Watch for more exciting developments in 2025!

In mid-October, we were thrilled to host a team from the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA). This group combines professional planning, design, and technical expertise with our local knowledge to achieve conservation and outdoor recreation goals. They are dedicated to fostering strong community partnerships and ensuring meaningful engagement in the visioning, planning, and implementation phases to secure long-term project success. Their commitment extends beyond national parks, supporting community-led conservation efforts and helping preserve spaces that instill community pride, guided by local experience and enthusiasm.

The NPS group visited the river as it exits the Okefenokee all the way to where the tidal influence can be felt 75 river miles downstream, with a goal of “facilitating conceptual planning for Shoals Park and developing a water trail” over a 36-month period. Watch for more details soon!

Calls to Action in our Watershed Communities

Charlton County

Proposed Minor Expansion for Okefenokee NWR

***Please note a change in the DATE of the public meeting hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.***

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting public input on the proposal to add approximately 22,000 acres to the acquisition boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. This is a proposal that could expand the fuel reduction zone that protects neighboring properties from wildfires. The public has until November 18, 2024 to submit input via email to Okefenokee@fws.gov.

A public meeting will be held on November 12, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Charlton County Annex Auditorium, 68 Kingsland Drive, Folkston, GA.

Baker County

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 2 invites you to the Hybrid Public Meetings on November 12 and 14, 2024, for the Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study of the Richardson Road bridge over a tributary of the St. Marys River.

These meetings aim to inform the public of evaluated alternatives and gather feedback. Options to participate include in-person, virtual, and dial-in methods, ensuring all comments—regardless of format—are considered equally.

November 12 from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm with a presentation at 6:00 pm

November 14 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm with a public comment period at 6:30 pm at Community Full Gospel Church, Glen St. Mary, FL.

Comments can be submitted via email to Jared.Sweat@dot.state.fl.us, or by mail to FDOT District 2 Office until November 22, 2024. Special accommodations are available upon request.

Thank you to Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation

We are proud to be among twenty non-profit organizations across Camden, Glynn, and McIntosh Counties to receive funding from the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation’s (CCGF) Community Impact competitive award initiative. The $10,000 grant will fund water quality testing in Georgia.

“We are grateful to the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation for the generous grant, which significantly enhances our capacity to conduct vital water quality testing in Georgia,” said Emily Floore, Executive Director of St. Marys Riverkeeper. "The support not only sustains our efforts but deepens our impact, ensuring the health of our river and the communities that depend on it. Together, we are preserving a vital resource for future generations.” Read more

St. Marys Riverkeeper relies on the generosity of donors to fund its critical work. Every dollar makes a difference to leave a lasting legacy for future generations - a healthy St. Marys River. Every contribution, no matter the size, directly impacts the health and future of the St. Marys River.

Congratulations to Malcolm Adams for winning the gift basket for taking our Awareness Survey!

#GAGives starts November 1. Help us reach our end of year fundraising goal of $15,000. Donate Today!