UCR Responds to Easing of State Watering Restrictions

Citing the end of north Georgia’s most recent drought, last week the state Environmental Protection Division (EPD) relaxed constraints placed on outdoor watering. UCR is opposed to the easing of these restrictions and urges the state to adopt a permanent ban on daytime watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when much of the water is lost to evaporation. Click here to read today’s Op-Ed by Sally Bethea in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Eco-Champion Contest Heats Up - Please Help UCR Win $15,000!

Thanks to your votes, UCR has been chosen as one of 25 finalists in the Brickfish contest “Be an Eco Champion”, competing for a $15,000 grand prize. Please bookmark this link and click on the "Vote" ONCE A DAY from now through July 9! You can also help by clicking on the "Share" button you’ll find on our Brickfish entry and posting information on this campaign to Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and more, or to email your friends about it.

Save the Hooch Campaign Underway

SweetWater Brewery’s Save the Hooch Campaign is off to a great start - and you can be a part of it! Through this campaign, which runs through July 4, SweetWater engages beer drinkers, restaurant goers, and pub patrons to raise awareness and funds to support UCR’s river patrol and water quality monitoring programs. Go to www.savethehooch.com to get involved.

Also, this Saturday, June 20, American Mountain and other sponsors are holding Retail for the River at Vinings Jubilee from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., to support the Save the Hooch effort. Enjoy food, SweetWater Beer, great savings, and prizes. Click here for all the details.

River Discovery Series Hits the Water June 27 - Sept. 12

UCR's River Discovery Series begins Saturday, June 27, with a five mile paddle trip from Buford Dam to Settles Bridge. Starting at the base of Buford Dam in the clear, cold water released from the bottom of Lake Lanier and paddling to the Historic Settles Bridge, this journey follows a section of beautiful oak hickory forest and prime trout water. Click here to get more information and/or register.

This series is hosted in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and covers the 37 miles of the Chattahoochee River with the Chatthoochee River National Recreation Area through consecutive trips. Learn more here.

Back to the Chattahoochee River Race & Festival Makes Waves

THANK YOU to all the participants, sponsors, exhibitors, performers, and volunteers who made last Saturday’s Back to the Chattahoochee River Race and Festival a big success. About 350 paddlers raced (click here to view race results), new awards for best boat decoration and best costumed spiced things up, and music from Michael Tolcher and the Watershed Project delighted the festival crowd.

Click here to view UCR’s photo gallery and purchase pictures.

Click here to view an online gallery posted at ajc.com.

Thanks again to our sponsors: 97.1 The River, WSB-TV / Channel 2,
Chevron, The Coca-Cola Company, Sweetwater Brewing Co., SignUp4, Republic Services, United Parcel Service, Georgia Canoeing Association, New Orleans Fine Catering & The People's Restaurant, Tree Sound Studios, Twin Bear Management, Friend of the River, Advanced Automation, Brown & Caldwell, Green Street Properties/Marthasville Development, Georgia Transmission Corporation, Coca-Cola Enterprises, HighCountry Outfitters, MWH/Khafra Joint Venture, REI, and Tom's of Maine.

Shop at Let'sGoGreen.biz and support UCR - Just choose Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper at checkout and 25% of your order goes to UCR.