Thanks to “friendly, bubbly” Meredith Crosby for leading this outing, to Rebecca Galardo for reporting on it, to Tony Galardo for taking her out in the Lanier EMA boat to do that, thanks to James Barnes, Lanier County Code Enforcement, for unlocking the boats, and thanks to Lanier County for letting WWALS rent the boats to paddlers for free.

WWALS Banks Lake Full Sturgeon Moon Paddle in Lanier County Advocate

Plus of course thanks to everyone who paddled on the Banks Lake Full Sturgeon Moon Paddle, 2023-08-01. The next full moon paddle is at the end of August: Banks Lake Full Blue Supermoon Paddle 2023-08-30.

For more WWALS outings, see:
https://wwals.net/outings

Rebecca Galardo, Lanier County Advocate, Banks Lake paddling event held August 1,

Just under 20 excited paddlers surrounded the boat entrance at Banks Lake on August 1. They listened to the safety briefing given by first-time outings leader, Meredith Crosby. Crosby was friendly, bubbly and as eager to get out on the water as every one there.

Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman was there as well. While overseeing the event, he was happy to answer any questions or help in any way.

After a slight delay, the group began their paddle. Lots of laughter and excited chatter could be heard across the water. Event members chose their own path to the first meet-up location. Some went in pairs in single- person kayaks. Others had two-person kayaks or the canoes from Banks Lake. These canoes were rented for free for the outing (courtesy of the Lakeland-Lanier Chamber of Commerce and Banks Lake Outdoors).

Everyone went their own way as Crosby sent a scout ahead to find a new spot to observe bats. According to US Fish and Wildlife Service, bats are one of the most important misunderstood animals on our planet. “Bats play an essential role in pest control, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. Recent studies estimate that bats eat enough pests to save more than $1 billion per year in crop damage and pesticide costs in the United States corn industry alone.” At Banks Lake, bats can be seen descending the trees as the sun goes down, skimming the water for bugs.

As the group spread out, Crosby and Quarterman helped the members by pointing out the attractions of Banks Lake and sharing information on the Full Sturgeon Moon. This month the full moon was also a “supermoon.” A supermoon happens when the moon comes nearly as close to the Earth as it can get at the same time that it is full (or new). With the full moon also being a supermoon, the size of it seems much larger.

These outings are hosted by the WWALS […] Watershed Coalition, a nonprofit corporation. WWALS holds at least one paddle outing a month, plus frequent cleanups, and even occasional hikes. For non- members, the outings fee is $10 per person, or $11 online. For members, the outings are free and the membership dues go to help the Coalition with its mission and vision: “A healthy watershed with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable water.”

The next outing with WWALS [is] Saturday, August 12, a Naylor to Mayday Paddle on the Alapaha River starting at 9AM. If the more relaxed vibe is more your style, WWALS hosts a paddle at Banks Lake every full moon (weather permitting).

For more information, go to https://wwals.net/outings for a calendar of fun, outdoor, family-friendly events.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

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