River Activitists Meet to Discuss 'State of the Rivers'

Over 150 river advocates from across the state of Georgia gathered at Roswell’s Chattahoochee Nature Center for Georgia River Network’s Weekend for Rivers this weekend.

The annual conference and river celebration event gave people who are passionate about rivers a chance to celebrate Georgia’s unique, beautiful waterways through storytelling, partying and paddling. River-lovers expressed their passion for rivers with short, inspiring presentations and interactive forums, painting a broad picture of the state of Georgia’s rivers and the people who protect, enjoy and honor them. Presenters shared their passion for rivers through story, poetry, music and art. 

The annual River Celebration Party also took place with food, music, silent and live auctions and awards. Some conference-goers camped at the Chattahoochee Nature Center and got up Sunday morning to paddle a 6.5-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River from Johnson Ferry to Paces Mill, while others paddled three miles in a raft with a National Park Service ranger from Powers Ferry to Paces Mill.

Sponsors include of the weekend included:  

Chattahoochee Nature Center, Patagonia, Stormwater Systems, Cedar Creek RV and Outdoor Center, National Park Service, Georgia Wildlife Federation, The Rain Barrel Depot, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Coca-Cola Refreshments, Bud & Mary Freeman, The Outside World, Flint Riverkeeper, Barefoot Wine, GreenLaw, American Rivers, Café Campesino, Sweetwater Brewing, Southern Environmental Law Center, Coosa River Basin Initiative, Broad River Watershed Association, Upper Oconee Watershed Network, Georgia Lakes Society, Chattahoochee RiverWarden, Environment Georgia and Savannah Riverkeeper.

Find more information about the event online.