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Pollution and overdevelopment are choking the ecological vitality – but not on our watch. Because, when the river thrives, so do we. 

As an Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) member you are joining a community of people who care about protecting and preserving our unique natural heritage of black water rivers, sand bars, coastal marshlands, forests, and swamps for future generations of Georgians. 

There is strength in numbers. When you become a member, our voice is even more powerful when we speak for our constituents at public meetings, in court, or in official comments. 

Make a single donation|Make a monthly, recurring donation|Become an annual member

Your donations support ORK’s daily work across the watershed. We don’t just protect, we revive. Our scientific techniques, community cleanup events, and legislative advocacy set us apart. We’re not simply a conservation effort; we’re a rebirth of the river, fostering a thriving ecosystem for fish, wildlife, and future generations to enjoy. 

Our efforts include:

    • actively monitoring for pollution and land use practices that would negatively impact our waterways
    • organizing communities around keeping local waterways swimmable, fishable, and drinkable
    • serving as a keeper of stories and histories about the river and its people
    • submitting official comments and responses on permit applications
    • advocating for the protection of forests, wetlands, and local ways of life that are so vital to the ecological integrity of the Ogeechee basin
    • providing educational resources and highlighting the beauty of the watershed

When you partner with us, you’re not just donating; you’re actively participating in a series of transformative actions designed to rejuvenate our precious waters.

Make a single donation|Make a monthly, recurring donation|Become an annual member

As an example, here are some of the average costs associated with protecting the Ogeechee River basin:

    • Bacterial monitoring for one site: $40 per month or $480 per year
    • Collection of PFAS samples for one site: $150 per month
    • Independent lab testing for water samples: $50-$130 each
    • Adopt-A-Stream monitoring supplies for one year: $500

ORK also deploys probes at locations to collect data at 30-minute intervals. These instruments are powerful for monitoring high-risk areas but also have associated costs:

    • pH and temperature data logger: $825
    • Water level data logger: $375
    • Freshwater conductivity logger: $985
    • Dissolved oxygen data logger: $1395

Part of each membership also goes towards keeping our lights on and ensuring that our water monitoring equipment remains up to date.

ORK offers an annual corporate sponsorship program

Thanks to your membership, Ogeechee Riverkeeper is here 365 days a year to make sure that the Ogeechee, Canoochee, and all our coastal rivers and headwater streams remain healthy for the people (and critters) who call this watershed home.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a Platinum Seal rating from GuideStar. All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.