Paddle GA Registration is Now Open!

A Project of Georgia River Network Paddle Georgia 2013 on the Lower Flint!                                REGISTER HERE!!! Paddle Georgia Friends,We know how much you LOVE Georgia’s rivers and Paddle Georgia, and to celebrate that LOVE, we thought it would be appropriate on Valentine’s Day to let you know that Paddle Georgia 2013 registration is now OPEN! If you haven’t heard the news yet – Paddle Georgia 2013 will take place on the lower Flint River – from Warwick to Bainbridge – June 15-21, 2013. Read Joe’s most recent blog post for all the details. It’s going to be another GREAT trip, and it’s going to be a hot ticket.Registration will be open until all the spaces are filled. There will be 350 spaces available for thru-paddlers this year. Last year, we sold out in just two weeks – so please register before we sell out.   Watch our Fun Lovin’ Paddle Georgia 2013 Registration Video: http://youtu.be/hZcqVIB1v-w We will also have a limited number of Paddle Georgia Lite 2013 spaces that will be available by invitation only to our supporters, special guests, and by lottery. Paddle Georgia Lite is our abbreviated trip for just the first two days of Paddle Georgia – June 15-16. If you would like to be considered for a Paddle Georgia Lite invitation this year please fill out the request form at this link by April 1, 2013 and we’ll put you in the pool. Invitations will be extended by April 12. AND, A VERY EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! Canoe-A-Thon 2013 participants will be eligible for a very special reward for helping us accomplish two important goals of Paddle Georgia – introducing more people to our beautiful rivers and raising more money to protect these precious resources. Canoe-A-Thon 2013 participants who raise at least $200 will be GUARANTEED A SPOT ON PADDLE GEORGIA 2014* by being eligible to register during a special PRIORITY REGISTRATION period before regular open registration begins in Feb. 2014 for Paddle Georgia 2014 – our 10 Year Anniversary Trip and return to the Chattahoochee River where it all began. To learn more about Canoe-A-Thon and sign up for Canoe-A-Thon 2013 go to: http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia/pgcanoeathon.html. *Be sure to click here and read all the specific rules and policies for Paddle Georgia 2014 Priority Registration. As always, there will be additional fabulous prizes for our top fundraisers. Finally, please consider making a special gift to Georgia River Network to support the tradition of enjoying and protecting our rivers in 2013. It’s easy to do by just clicking this link. We look forward to seeing you on the Flint in June! The Paddle Georgia/Georgia River Network Team 2013 Sponsors to Date – Georgia Power; Hennessy Land Rover Centres; Patagonia; Oglethorpe Power Corporation; StreamTechs; Cedar Creek RV and Outdoor Center; Cellairis ; Len Foote Hike Inn; Chambliss, Sheppard, Roland & Baxter LLP; China Clay Producers Association; Sea to Summit; The Outside World 2013 Partners to Date – Georgia Canoe Association, Flint Riverkeeper, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, Project Wet ——————————————- Georgia River Network 126 South Milledge Ave. Suite E3, Athens, GA 30605 706-549-4508 http://www.garivers.org Become a Member Today – Join     Len Foote Hike Inn Chambliss, Sheppard, Roland & Baxter LLP

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Announcing GRN’s 2013 Photo Showcase and GRN Staff Pick of the Month

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January 2013

2013 Monthly Photo Showcase and GRN Staff Pick of the Month GRN is excited to announce our ‘2013 Monthly Photo Showcase and GRN Staff Pick of the Month’. Each month we will have a different theme and invite you to send us a photo that you think best represents the topic of the month.We will showcase everyone’s photos on our website and social media and one photo per month will receive the illustrious title of ‘GRN Staff Pick of the Month’ and the chosen photo’s author will receive a surprise token of gratitude.We will accept photo entries up until the third week of each month and announce the GRN staff pick and showcase all photo submissions the last week of each month. January’s theme is: * * * Favorite photo of 2012 * * * So get those cameras poised and creative photo juices flowing and submit your January photo entry NOW to Gwyneth@garivers.org Here is a sneak peek of the 2013 Monthly Themes: January– Favorite photo of 2012 February– The love boat paddlers photo March– Photo of a river problem that needs to be fixed April– Best ‘Weekend For Rivers’ photo May– Photo of creative way(s) of conserving water/How do you conserve water? June– River wildlife photo July– Favorite 2013 Paddle Georgia photo August– Funniest paddling photo September– Summer water fun with pet(s) photo October– Protecting and cleaning up rivers photo November– Fabulous fall colors photo December– The gift of water photo Georgia River Network 126 South Milledge Ave. Suite E3, Athens, GA 30605 706-549-4508 http://www.garivers.org Become a Member Today – Join

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Congrats 12 in 2012 Finishers! ~ Ready for 2013 Challenge?

January 2013

Congrats to 2012 Finishers! ~ 2013 Challenge is up! Greetings 12 in 2012 Challengers!Over 60 people took on our challenge to paddle 12 different Georgia rivers in 2012. And even though not everyone completed 12 rivers, everyone made a valiant effort and got out and enjoyed Georgia’s rivers.We are extremely proud of the 15 paddlers who did successfully complete the challenge and especially of those who went above and beyond… One of those overachievers was Gerry Cowart who not only was the first to complete his 12 rivers, he went on to paddle 24 rivers by the end of 2012. Another avid paddler who ultimately paddled 20 rivers was Glen Smith, who went on a total of 50+ paddle trips during the year. Every paddler has their own unique experience when out on the water, which is why we asked challengers to submit their photos and stories. We loved following Mary Siceloff and Liz Williams’ blog about two close friends doing the challenge together. It was a true delight to hear about Suzi Parron’s strong passion for paddling that even a boot on her foot couldn’t keep her off the river. Bobby Marie made us proud with the photos capturing the immense amount of trash he picked up. It was inspiring to see the love bird couples Kyle & Andrea Camp and Lonny & Rhonda Martin accomplishing the challenge together. Outdoor enthusiast, Patrick Phelps, persevered even when the temperatures started dropping and he was ready to move on to his other love – mountain biking. Photographer, Anne Ledbetter, captured some absolutely amazing photos on her paddling trips. We were excited to see Allison Hughes of GA Adopt-A-Stream share photos of her awesome adventures on both black and whitewater, too! And last but not least – our very own Joe Cook and April Ingle led by example and represented our Paddle GA/Georgia River Network team well when they paddled 12+ rivers each. So, kudos to each of the 12 in 2012 finishers! They are an inspiration to all of us here at Georgia River Network and beyond. We trust it was a fun challenge. CONGRATS to Patrick Phelps the lucky winner of a FULL Weekend for Rivers Conference and Party Pass! And for those of y’all who have never attended this AWESOME experience don’t miss out! Are y’all ready for the 2013 Georgia River Challenge?! ~ Take 13 People Paddling in 2013 ~ Share the joy of paddling Georgia’s rivers with friends and family who otherwise would not go on their own! Georgia River Network is encouraging river lovers to celebrate Georgia’s rivers – from wild places to urban waterways – by taking 13 people paddling in 2013 who might not otherwise go on their own. Set your New Year’s resolution to get outside, get active and get to know your home state with friends and family. Georgia’s rivers offer a variety of experiences including family friendly afternoon paddles, riverside hikes, exciting whitewater and blackwater experiences. The goal of this year’s ‘Take 13 People Paddling in 2013’ challenge is to promote Georgia’s growing water trail movement and send more people to the Georgia Water Trails Website to identify water trails to paddle, locate outfitters, find organized paddling trips or plan their own trip with friends and family who have little to know paddling experience. To join the list of paddlers participating, just send an email to gwyneth@garivers.org with your name and address to sign up. When you have successfully completed the challenge by taking 13 people paddling on Georgia’s rivers, who otherwise would not go on their own, send in documentation about your trip including photos, stories, videos and/or poems about the rivers you explored and with whom. Send to gwyneth@garivers.org or to Georgia River Network, 126 South Milledge Ave. Suite E3, Athens, GA 30605. GRN will send you a sticker for your boat. GRN reserves the right to reprint and reuse any documentation submitted. Georgia River Network’s Water Trails Website can help you find outfitters, events, organized trips, resources and a list of Georgia Water Trails to plan your own adventure. Keep on rollin’ on the river…. Gwyneth Moody Community Programs Coordinator gwyneth@garivers.org ><((((º>·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·…¸><((((º> Georgia River Network 126 South Milledge Ave. Suite E3, Athens, GA 30605 706-549-4508 http://www.garivers.org Become a Member Today – Join

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Nature Conservancy buys 6,277 more acres along Altamaha River in Georgia

By Maria Saporta

The Nature Conservancy — Georgia unveiled a New Year’s present Thursday when it announced that it has purchased 6,277 acres along the Altamaha River in Wayne County.

The tract, known as Boyles Island, has been on the Nature Conservancy’s “wish list” for decades, according to the press release issued by conservation organization.

“I grew up in this area and actually learned to shoot a shotgun on Boyles Island at the tender age of eight, so I am personally proud of this land protection success,” said Mark Abner, director for the Nature Conservancy in Georgia. “A multi-partner effort made this transaction possible, and we are grateful to all the supporters who continue to help the Conservancy realize our vision on the Altamaha River and Georgia coast.”

Boyles Island spans 8.7 miles of the Altamaha River and features an extensive floodplain forest of oak-hickory bottomland and cypress-tupelo swamp, with isolated ridges of live oak and spruce pine, as well as creeks, sloughs and oxbow lakes.

This tract adjoins more than 106,000 acres of land that is already protected, filling a gap on the west side of a more than 40-mile long corridor that protects habitat along the Altamaha River. The contiguous corridor helps ensure the viability of many important species, including Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, prized recreational and commercial fisheries from the river channel to the saltwater coast; and bird life such as the rare swallow-tailed kite and numerous other migratory birds.

Protected land along the river helps the Georgia coast as well, improving water quality before it reaches the estuary and allowing natural, seasonal variations in water quantity and temperature to endure.

The Nature Conservancy is purchasing the land from Rayonier for $8 million. The Conservancy will also sell a restrictive easement, valued at $3.1 million, to the U.S. Marine Corps through the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) program, which was created by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and is used to create land-use buffers between communities and military activity that can also protect habitat and provide recreational lands.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will purchase the land for $4 million from the Nature Conservancy in two phases over the next year, ultimately creating an extension of the Penholoway Swamp Wildlife Management Area, which is open to the public for recreation.

Funds to purchase the land came from a variety of sources. The transaction offered an opportunity for the Nature Conservancy to use the Georgia Land Conservation Program’s Revolving Loan Fund, a low-interest loan program designed to help protect high-priority conservation lands administered by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.

DNR has assembled funding from a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Wetland grant, Knobloch Family Foundation grant, and state bond funds for its two-phase acquisition from the Conservancy. Together with the Marine Corps easement purchase, these funds will offset all but about $1 million of the purchase price, which the Conservancy is raising from private sources.

“Thanks to the many partners and supporters who worked tirelessly on this project, the citizens of Georgia will have new lands for outdoor recreation and Boyles Island will be preserved for generations to come,” said Mark Williams, DNR commissioner.

The Boyles Island tract has a long history as a private working forest, dating back to at least the 1930s when it was owned by Savannah River Lumber Company. For the past 40 years it has been owned and managed by Rayonier, which has periodically harvested hardwood timber while relying on its highly-fertile flood-nourished soils and natural revegetation patterns to sustain such activity.

“Boyles Island is an ecological treasure,” said Paul Boynton, chairman, president and CEO of Rayonier. “Its diversity of habitat and critical importance to migratory birds, together with its location connecting other public conservation lands, make it extremely unique. We are delighted to again work with the U.S. Department of Defense, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Nature Conservancy to successfully protect a special property. This transaction takes Rayonier’s conservation land program to well over 150,000 acres – more than 30,000 acres located in southeast Georgia.”

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GRN is sending a big SHOUT OUT to Suzi Parron for paddling 12 rivers in 2012!

Congrats to Suzi Parron for completing her 12 rivers in 2012!

She  paddled the following GA rivers:

Chattahoochee River – 1/7/12
Etowah River – 2/4/2012
Peachtree Creek – 4/7/12
Altamaha River – 4/20/12
Oconee River – 4/20/12
Ocmulgee River – 4/20/12
South River – 9/1/12
Tallapoosa River – 9/3/12
Conasauga River – 9/9/12
Coosawatee River – 9/9/12
Oostanaula River – 9/9/12
Ellijay River – 10/12/12

If you are inspired and want to see more photos of her adventures click HERE!

Experience the journeys of the 12 in 2012 Challengers through their stories and photos HERE.

And if lo and behold you have not signed up for our newsletters you can do so by clicking HERE!

Make sure to also peruse our Water Trails Website when searching and planning for your next paddling adventure. It’s a great a place to find out about water trails, paddling events and trips, and outfitters and amenities throughout the State.

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See all we accomplished together for healthy rivers (AND THE FUN THAT WAS HAD!) in 2012 ~ GRN Annual Report video

River Friend,

We accomplished a lot together in 2012 and had one great time too. Check out GRN’s successes and watch through our 2012 Annual Report video.

Help us continue our work together in 2013 by making a contribution today!

Your Georgia River Network Friends

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Patrick Phelps gets a GRN drum roll for completing his 12 rivers in 2012!

Congrats to Patrick Phelps for paddling 12 Rivers in 2012 !

He paddled the following GA rivers:

Oconee River – 3/6/12
Broad River – 3/15/12
Etowah River – 4/21/12, 8/18/12
Notelly River – 5/27/12
Chattahoochee River – 6/9/12
Oostanaula River – 8/11/12
Coosa River – 8/18/12
Conasauga River- 9/2/12
Chestatee River – 9/8/12
Yellow River – 9/15/12
Soque River – 9/29/12
Ocmulgee River – 11/4/12

If you are inspired and want to see more stories and photos of his adventures HERE!

Experience the journeys of the 12 in 2012 Challengers through their stories and photos HERE.

And if lo and behold you have not signed up for our newsletters you can do so by clicking HERE!

Make sure to also peruse our Water Trails Website when searching and planning for your next paddling adventure. It’s a great a place to find out about water trails, paddling events and trips, and outfitters and amenities throughout the State.

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