The Nature Conservancy and Altamaha Riverkeeper Host a Clean-up Event on the Lower Altamaha River

Volunteers Needed to Help Remove Invasive Species and Trash From the Altamaha River

Darien, GA—October 4, 2006—The Nature Conservancy and the Altamaha Riverkeeper are seeking volunteers to assist with the removal of trash and water hyacinth in the lower Altamaha River during an organized clean-up event on Saturday, November 4, 2006. Volunteer registration will begin at 8 a.m. at Two-Way Fish Camp on U.S. Highway 17 at the Glynn-McIntosh County line. The clean up will conclude at noon with a hotdog lunch and presentations by the Altamaha Riverkeeper and The Nature Conservancy.

By boat and on foot, volunteers will be helping to clean five key areas of the river system in Glynn and McIntosh counties: Champney Landing, Altamaha River Park, Darien waterfront, Buffalo Swamp, and Fort Barrington.

“No one wants to see trash and debris when they visit the Altamaha. Garbage seems to attract more garbage,” said Deborah Sheppard, executive director of the Altamaha Riverkeeper. “Cleaning up our landings is the first step. Reducing trash and debris at the water’s edge helps to maintain the habitat for plants and microorganisms that process and detoxify polluting chemicals before they go into the water. It is part of our effort to keep our rivers and coast healthy for recreational opportunities and commercial fishing.”

In addition to collecting trash, volunteers will help with the removal of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), a deceptively beautiful floating aquatic plant from South America. Introduced to the river system primarily by the actions of humans, either purposely or by accident, this species threatens to disrupt the precious balance of nature in the Altamaha River basin. By forming large floating mats in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, it shades out native aquatic vegetation and reduces oxygen in the water. Water hyacinth can block waterways completely, causing a hazard to recreational users.

“Non-native invasive species, such as water hyacinth, are a real threat to the health of the river system,” said Christi Lambert, southeast Georgia conservation director for The Nature Conservancy. “Right now, the occurrence of water hyacinth in the Altamaha River, relative to other parts of the country, is somewhat manageable, but there is the potential that its populations will grow and out-compete the native vegetation and pose a risk to aquatic life.”

To find out more about how you can assist with the Altamaha River Clean-up, please contact Jeff Spratt with The Nature Conservancy at 912/437-2161, ext. 221 or email jspratt@tnc.org