

	SweetWater’s Save the Hooch Campaign hits all-time high! At this year’s End of Summer BBQ at Canoe Restaurant, UCR received a check for $93,000 from SweetWater Brewery’s Save the Hooch Campaign. The amount far surpassed last year’s $62,000, thanks in part to increased participation from United Distributors and Taco Mac. “It’s this kind of incredible support from partners like SweetWater, United Distributors and Taco Mac that helps us keep our water clean and safe for drinking and recreation,” UCR’s Sally Bethea said. “What an unbelievable success!” said SweetWater Big Kahuna Freddy Bensch. "Through the support from SweetWater’s fans and participating retailers we were able to raise nearly 100K. It’s inspiring to see the people of Atlanta come together to help save this region’s most precious natural resource. Which of course, we love because a clean Chattahoochee River gives us the clean water we need to keep making great beer!” Since 2006, the Save the Hooch Campaign has raised nearly $350,000 to support UCR’s river patrol and water monitoring programs. (Photo by Spark St. Jude/MagicOnFilm)



	Smith, Gambrell to receive top honors at UCR dinner Tickets are now on sale for our 17th Annual Patron Appreciation Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at The Foundry at Puritan Mill in Atlanta. (Click here to purchase ticket.) A reception will be followed by a seated dinner and program honoring the Smith, Gambrell & Russell law firm with our prestigious River Guardian Award, Tom Noonan with our River Benefactor Award, Upper Chattahoochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited with our River Advocate Award, and Darryl Haddock with West Atlanta Watershed Alliance with our River Partner Award. We will also honor the legacy of one of the river’s most passionate protectors, Gandy Glover. Tickets are $100 per person and include the reception and dinner. The Foundry is located at 916 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., Atlanta, GA, 30318. (Click here for additional directions.) Valet parking is available. For more info or to become an event sponsor, contact Tammy Bates at tbates@ucriverkeeper.org or (404) 352-9828, ext. 12. (Click here to download a sponsor form for this event.)



	Natural trout reproduction leads to ‘shocking’ experiences, new rules As anglers and biologists have known for at least a decade, trout in the Chattahoochee River are naturally reproducing — an important discovery that is finally getting much-deserved attention. Long a stocked tailwater fishery below Buford Dam, the news of natural reproduction led to several long-term studies. Last spring, state biologists and Trout Unlimited volunteers began electro-shocking brown trout to tag them and note size, weight and stomach contents, before returning them to the river unharmed. UCR's Sally Bethea (pictured) was able to help out recently, netting a 16-inch brown with an 8-inch brown in its stomach! Georgia’s Board of Natural Resources may consider new rules to protect the Chattahoochee trout after a stakeholder group develops recommendations. Cold water temperatures are critical for these fish, and Atlanta and its suburbs have been identified as having a very high risk of thermal pollution. Annually, anglers pump $1.13 billion into Georgia’s economy.

Come to REI on Sept. 8 to get a rain barrel, water conservation tips!

UCR continues to spread the word about the need for rain harvesting through our popular rain barrel program. In partnership with national outdoors goods cooperative REI, we’ll host a workshop on Sept. 8 at the company’s Buford location.

Headwaters Outreach Manager Bonny Putney, who oversees UCR’s program, will lead the workshop which also provides a great opportunity to learn about the water issues facing metro Atlanta and how to save water in your home and garden through harvesting and other measures. Rain barrels have been known to save homeowners as much as 1,300 gallons of water during three summer months.

“The new design makes these rain barrels quick and easy to install,” Putney said. “There’s no cutting off your gutter. You leave ready to harvest rain for your garden!"

The workshop will run from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Cost is $35 and includes a rain barrel for assembly. Space for the workshop is limited to 20 participants and fills up fast. Register here.

SweetWater’s Save the Hooch Campaign hits all-time high!

Smith, Gambrell to receive top honors at UCR dinner

Natural trout reproduction leads to ‘shocking’ experiences, new rules

Come to REI on Sept. 8 to get a rain barrel, water conservation tips!