Altamaha Riverkeeper News

EGSC & Riverkeeper have formed a training alliance to create an ‘outdoor classroom’ on the Ohoopee River, one of the tributaries of the Altamaha River.

This is an exciting opportunity for students to learn more about water issues, as well as the amazing Ohoopee river, in their own back yard. “East Georgia State College is proud to have this opportunity to form a strategic alliance with the Altamaha Riverkeeper to contribute to the sustainability of our region and provide unique internship opportunities for our outstanding biology students,” said EGSC President Bob Boehmer. “Congratulations to the chair of our biology department, Dr. Jim Wedincamp, and the Altamaha Riverkeeper, Jen Hilburn, for their vision in creating this alliance.”

Once we formalized our Alliance in September 2015, we were able to start immediately. After initial Adopt-A-Stream training, our 2015 intern Dana Bedgood laid the groundwork in identifying locations and beginning the monthly water sampling in four locations on the Ohoopee River. She brought us the first baseline data that we have for our Ohoopee program. This year, Kaitlin Warren is working on the Ohoopee River, continuing the sampling work and adding some additional sampling sites on both the Ohoopee and Oconee Rivers. She has also become involved in participating in Capitol Conservation Day at the Capitol and will be assisting in many events and activities throughout the year