Savannah Riverkeeper is so important for our 4oo mile Savannah River and the entire watershed. We love having this non-profit keeping us informed and involved. We interact with the Riverkeeper in Augusta and all along the Savannah River.
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My family have been volunteers with Savannah Riverkeeper for years. We love our river and our involvement with it.
Savannah Riverkeeper is a vital part of Augusta GA. The organization serves the Central Savannah River Area in many ways. They monitor the river, streams and basin as well as the sewer system in Augusta's aging urban community. The Riverkeeper provides outreach to many local clubs, churches and nonprofits with speakers and workshops. We benefit from our connection with Waterkeeper Alliance which is extends worldwide. Our Savannah Riverkeeper, Tonya Bonitatibus and her team has been involved on both sides of the Savannah which forms the border of South Carolina and Georgia. They organize clean-ups citywide including "Rivers Alive". They are an ongoing presence in the city including along the entire 400 miles from its headwaters in north Georgia mountains to where the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean in Savannah GA.
These good folks at Savannah Riverkeeper are the Best. Sincere efforts at every level. Augusta and surrounding communities are rewarded with educational programs and data driven outreach each and every day.
Savannah Riverkeeper is a great non profit! From removing trash aggressively from the river, and keeping it out....to chasing down oil and gas in the drains.. to even a meat packing byproduct dump in the road. I am sure I have only skimmed the surface but they are a welcoming and hard working group!
This group has done so much to help out the Savannah River Watershed. From training volunteers to monitor water quality, organizing trash cleanups in neighborhoods, boat landings, and along tributaries. Savannah Riverkeeper has also worked tirelessly in both Columbia and Atlanta to advocate for protecting the river, like their major role with putting a stop to the Palmetto Pipeline being built in a dangerous area. Some of the volunteers that have been trained to monitor water quality are local students, giving them the opportunity to do the same work as real scientists.
The Savannah Riverkeepers crew is absolutely amazing. The work put in by Tonya and her staff is second to none. From informing the public on the health of the river, to running events that get the community involved, they do it all! If you live never the Savannah River I highly recommend getting involved with this group.
From South Carolina side of the Savannah and think they do an astounding job. Through social media they are very open and informative of ways to get involved and any actions they are taking. They promote activities for the community, which are numerous throughout the year. Tanya cares and it is evident as she speaks out for what she believes in and stands up for the river. Last year, she visited the site for the Dakota Access Pipeline, because she not only stands up locally but globally and in today's times, it is NECESSARY
SRK is dedicated to protecting the Savannah River in diverse and exciting ways. Clean water is necessary for our industries, agriculture, recreation, and most importantly, for life itself.
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I have volunteered several times with The Savannah Riverkeepers, and it is a blast every time! Their events are always well organized so each one that I have worked has run very smoothly and was very enjoyable. It is obvious that all of their staff truly cares about their cause and they do a great job protecting our beautiful river so we can all continue to enjoy it. Thanks Savannah Riverkeepers!
I have worked with the Savannah Riverkeeper during production of a documentary film about Kinder Morgan and a pipeline spill in upstate South Carolina. Tonya Bonitatibus and her staff were exemplary in their knowledge of the Savannah River from it's fragile ecosystem to the economic impact. I've known this group of people for years now and can honestly tell you that without them our Savannah River would be a disaster. They have spent countless hours above and beyond a normal job because of their love and passion for this river.
My husband and I have been actively involved in Savannah RiverKeepers for more than ten years. The people in this organization are sincerely dedicated to saving not only our river, but also, in having a presence in all issues relating to Global Warming and Human Rights. Recently, members came to our area to help with flooding victims. If you want to donate to Savannah RiverKeepers every time you make a purchase at Amazon, sign in at amazonsmile.com. Designate that a donation is made to SRK from each purchase. Outstanding, beyond reproach, credible and effective organization. So are the members who work long hours to help others. I'm very proud of my husband's efforts with SRK.
One of the rare, truly dedicated to their mission organizations one could ever hope to support. The Riverkeeper is the best advocate for our waterways, thus the quality of human life and all life, and deserves all our support.
Savannah Reeverkeeper unites truly devoted people taking important initiatives and raising awareness of the community
As a resident of the CSRA I am grateful to the Savannah Riverkeepers for being on the front lines and advocating to keep our beloved River clean and safe.
The Savannah Riverkeeper was founded in 2001 when several members of the Savannah River Group of the Sierra Club got together to determine what was the most immediate environmental challenge not only to the area, but to the country and indeed the planet. After some consideration we decided that clean water was the most immediate challenge. After making that decision we had to decide what organizational model to use to facilitate advocacy for clean water. After some study of various models we settled on the Riverkeeper model. And then we had to decide how much of the river to advocate for. It did not make sense to us to advocate for just a portion of the river since rain that falls in Rabun County eventually flows through Lakes Tugaloo, Yonah, Hartwell, Russell, Clark's Hill, (Thurmond), Stevens Creek, and the Augusta Pond and eventually ends up mixing with salt water in the harbor. So we decided to advocate for the entire Savannah basin from the mountains to the sea.
We applied to the Waterkeeper Alliance for permission to use the name Riverkeeper. After receiving permission to use the name, we applied to the state of Georgia for legal incorporation. And then to the IRS for our 501(c)(3) status. By October 2001 we were legally incorporated charity advocating for water quality in the Savannah River basin. Our initial funding came from the proceeds of a suit by the Hyde Park Community against the City of Augusta for stopping the construction of the wetlands that had been ordered by the EPD to clean up the waste water from Messerly Sewage Treatment Plant.
But certainly the best move I made as Executive Director of SRK was to hire Tonya Bonitatibus as Development Director. After about two years in that position, Tonya, in her no nonsense, direct way, looked me in the eye and said "I want your job." At 64 I was about ready to retire so we made the transition. The energy that Tonya has directed into that job since that time is obvious from the success that SRK has shown under her tutelage. The river is cleaner, more of its problems are recognized and the public is much better educated about their water resource because of her efforts.
Congratulations Tonya on your success.
SRK is an enormous benefit to all the population in and around the Savannah River Valley. The leader and members work tirelessly to clean up, educate, and advocate for protection of our valuable asset . Group is educated and fearless when addressing the needs of our residents and river and willing daily to fight against sometimes quite formidable detractors of the need for clean water and a healthy recreational venue.
During 32 years as a daily newspaper reporter and outdoors columnist, I've interacted with more environmental groups than I can count. Savannah Riverkeeper is at the top of my list of organizations that truly make a difference in the communities they serve. Ever since its inception in July of 2001 Savannah Riverkeeper has been consistently involved in regulatory and political issues affecting the river, while simultaneously creating and managing programs to make residents more aware of the river's importance. The group's litter collection programs, raft races, boating tours and other campaigns have helped boost interest and awareness in our river to levels never before seen; SRK has also become the go-to source for digital, pring and broadcast media whenever there are floods, spills, controversies or political issues that warrant disclosure and interpretation. As a journalist who covered energy, environment, ecology and water issues related to the river and its upstate reservoirs, I always found their information to be accurate and credible - even if it did not always agree with regulators and government sources. SRK takes action, puts its money where its mouth is and follows its projects through as promised. After retiring from newspapers, I served as a volunteer board member and have continued to be impressed with SRK's efficiency and ability to make the best use of its dollars.
I have been associated with the Savannah Riverkeeper (SRK) since it was organized over 15 years ago. I am particularly impressed because the positions taken by the Riverkeeper, Tonya Bonitatabus, and the Board are well thought-out, forceful but not confrontational. The current status of the river is, in large part, due to the SRK and it's volunteers who tend it daily.
The Savannah Riverkeeper is a fantastic organization that provides the only truly independent "voice" for one the nations most challenged and yet scenic rivers. As a volunteer, I have been provided with many opportunities to experience the Savannah River's great diversity and to learn of it's ecology, history, and importance in our modern society. I have also had to chance to meet many amazing, energetic people who through their own volunteer spirit have enriched my life experience in countless ways.
The Savannah Riverkeeper has played an important role in he Augusta Community in maintaining our beautiful river and keeping the citizens advised of all issues. So happy to have them.
I was on the first Board, as Secretary, when the Savannah Riverkeeper was first organized. It has been the most significant organization in the Augusta area for protection of the Augusta Shoals, the last shoals remaining on the River, thanks to Corps of Engineers dams. This area is the only habitat remaining on the Savannah River for the protected Shoals Spider Lily, plus the Shoals supply habitat for several rare fish species.
In addition to protecting the River in the Augusta area, the Savannah Riverkeeper has fought many a battle to protect water quality in both the river and its tributaries from Thurmond Lake all the way to the mouth of the River in Savannah, GA--- and that covers a lot of territory!
The Riverkeeper was extensively involved in the discovery and remediation of mercury contamination of the River from an industry just south of Augusta. In addition, the Riverkeeper also sponsors several yearly money-raising festivals to help fund monitoring and legal expenses. These include Oyster Roasts, Paddlefest (canoe and raft races), etc.
When folks in Savannah and places all the way up river to Thurmond Dam think of this water treasure, their next thought is "Thank heavens we have a Riverkeeper to protect our Savannah River."