Kimberly Tanner wrote three days ago, “Looks like there are two new cans; one close to parking and one on the beach. Great news!”
![[Trash cans at entrance to and on Naylor Beach --Kimberly Tanner 2022-12-29]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-29--naylor-beach/many.jpg)
Trash cans at entrance to and on Naylor Beach –Kimberly Tanner 2022-12-29
This is speedy action by Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA). And of course these two new cans at Naylor Beach are in addition to the one at the nearby Naylor Boat Ramp. Continue reading
Update 2023-01-02: Budget and Bats: Suwannee River Visitor Center.
Somebody asked, what is that big building next to the Suwannee River at Fargo, and why is it closed?
![[Front, Suwannee River Visitor Center, 08:22:40, 30.6822910, -82.5606494]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-29--suwannee-river-welcome-center/20221229_082240.jpg)
Front, Suwannee River Visitor Center, 08:22:40, 30.6822910,-82.5606494
The Suwannee River Visitor Center opened in 2004, before the nearby Eco-Lodge. Both are part of Stephen C. Foster State Park.
It was a showcase for the wildlife, composition, and history of the Suwannee River, as well as an example green building. But it has been closed since at February 2015 or earlier. Here is what I could find about it.
Ashley Harper, WALB TV, June 15, 2004, Tourist attraction brings life to Fargo, Continue reading
Update 2023-01-01 Two new VLPRA trash cans for Naylor Beach on the Alapaha River 2022-12-29.
Suzy Hall checked on the trash can at Naylor Beach on the Alapaha River at US 84 yesterday. It’s not there.
![[2018, 2020, and 2022: Naylor Beach]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-24--naylor-beach/many.jpg)
2018, 2020, and 2022: Naylor Beach
It was put there by Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) in 2018, after WWALS asked for it.
The last record we have of that Naylor Beach trash can was in January 2020.
We’re asking VLPRA again: could we have a trash can at Naylor Beach? Continue reading
Update 2023-03-31: Yet Another Cleanup Knights Ferry to Nankin, Withlacoochee River 2023-04-08.
Update 2023-01-30: Videos: Valdosta trash on the Withlacoochee River 2022-12-17.
Eight WWALS volunteers braved a cold winter’s day on another WWALS Withlacoochee River Cleanup from Knights Ferry to Nankin Boat Ramps, because we couldn’t get it all two weeks before.
After a big on-land cleanup and a floating trash jam, we also saw the wood piers of old Knights Ferry Bridge, Floating Marsh Pennywort, invasive Flowering Cleome houtteana, many private landings, Redland Creek, many rocks, many interesting trees, and Nankin Shoals.
Thanks to Russell Allen McBride for organizing, and volunteers Suzy Hall, Will Hart, Amy Myers, Gretchen Quarterman Scott, and Calvin.
![[Composite, Another KF to Nankin Cleanup, 2022-12-17]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-17--kf-nankin-cleanup-pictures/many.jpg)
Composite, Another KF to Nankin Cleanup, 2022-12-17
Where did this styrofoam, plastic bottles, and cans come from? Almost certainly the City of Valdosta. See Valdosta Mayor Scott James on trash at Hightower Creek 2022-12-15.
There’s at least that much more trash on the river that we’ll have to come back to get.
At least Valdosta has started to stop trash from getting into the river.
They have much more to do:
https://wwals.net/issues/trash
Here’s a summary in a WWALS video playlist by Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman:
Continue readingPhillip Williams has found and marked more trails and waterways in his continued exploration of Langdale Park on the Withlacoochee River in Lowndes County just west of Valdosta, Georgia. As you can see, the trails are much more usable since Parks and Rec. has been cleaning them up lately. Yay, George Page, Jessica Catlett, and Jeff!
![[Dark Branch, trashjam, canebreak, island, log bridge, waterfall]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-12--langdale-park-trails/many.jpg)
Dark Branch, trashjam, canebreak, island, log bridge, waterfall
I’ve updated his material in the WWALS WLRWT map, so you can pan, zoom, and click.
He’s been communicating with the park owner, Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA). He’s updated many of the trail names. For example, the trail south from Langdale Park Boat Ramp by the Withlacoochee River is Trail B. Trail A runs all the way from the Pavillion just south of Hyta Mederer Drive down to Three Mile Branch. Supposedly it then turns right and goes west to the river, but apparently VLPRA hasn’t finished cleaning up that stretch. Continue reading
Update 2022-12-21: Pictures: Another Knights Ferry to Nankin Cleanup, Withlacoochee River 2022-12-17.
Come help clean up more trash jams we found last time. It’s going to be cold, so dress warmly in layers and bring a change in a dry bag.
We found a new creek that we’re calling River Bend Plantation Creek because that’s the property it mostly runs through.
Speaking of which, the main big new trash pile is on the edge of River Bend Plantation. Could someone who knows them please ask them to contact WWALS about land access or closer river access?
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, December 17, 2022
Put In: Knights Ferry Boat Ramp, 6499 Knights Ferry Rd, Valdosta, GA 31601.
GPS: 30.71205, -83.45554
![[Trash on land and river]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-17--kf-nankin-cleanup/many.jpg)
Trash on land and river 2022-12-03; Photos: John S. Quarterman
Update 2022-12-12: Videos: Dollar General rezoning legally must be tabled, Troupville land purchase is for a park @ LCC 2022-12-12.
Lowndes County tomorrow will take a big step and buy 77.14 acres down to the Little River Confluence with the Withlacoochee River, adjoining the 49.36 acres including Troupville Boat Ramp already owned south of GA 133 by Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA).
The idea is to combine the two tracts into a 126.5-acre Troupville Nature Park, the dream of landowner Helen Tapp, with trails, signage, and an educational pavilion. It will include a Troupville River Camp on the Withlacoochee just upstream from the Confluence. The project still needs ongoing maintenance funds, but this purchase clears a big hurdle after four years of preparation.
That’s 5:30 PM, Tuesday, December 13, 2023, at 327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor, Valdosta, Georgia, 31601.
The price of $121,500 is dirt cheap at $1,575 per acre, because it’s all flood plain, and there was also some discount from the tax-appraised value of $127,347 because of the conservation easement.
Many thanks to landowner Helen Tapp for organizing the conservation easement and for being willing to sell at such a price. This purchase ensures the land won’t turn into a shooting range or some other inappropriate facility. (There already is a shooting range slightly upstream on the Little River.) Continue reading
Quite a few happy boaters, on a balmy weekday at an early start time, saw the sun set and the moon already rising, on the Banks Lake Full Cold Moon Paddle.
Thanks to Shirley Kokidko for leading it.
![[Banners, Kayak Raffle Winner, Sunset, Moonrise, Banks Lake 2022-12-07]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-07--banks-lake-full-cold-moon-pictures/many.jpg)
Banners, Kayak Raffle Winner, Sunset, Moonrise, Banks Lake 2022-12-07
The next one is Friday, January 6, 2023.
Please make your boat reservations in advance. If we know more boats are wanted than the limited number at Banks Lake Outdoors, we can bring more, but not if we don’t know.
And please get there before the safety lecture. If you show up after that, we don’t like to, but we will turn you away. Gather time and paddle time are posted for each paddle outing. The safety lecture is before we paddle. Continue reading
This only ever happened once before: the WWALS kayak raffle winner was standing there at the drawing.
WWALS Executive Director Gretchen Quarterman had already transcribed the online tickets onto paper tickets like all the others. Continue reading
Update 2023-01-11: Pictures: Banks Lake Full Wolf Moon paddle 2023-01-06
Join us for our first leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle of 2023, on Banks Lake, our mini-Okefenokee just west of Lakeland, Georgia.
If you need a boat, reserve in advance! See below.
When: Gather 4:45 PM, launch 5:15 PM, moonrise 5:29 PM, sunset 5:46 PM, end 6:30 PM, Friday, January 6, 2023
You must arrive enough before the launch time to hear the safety lecture.
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
![[Banks Lake sunset, 2022-01-17 Photo: John S. Quarterman]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-01-06--banks-lake-full-wolf-moon/20220117_173946.jpg)
Banks Lake sunset, 2022-01-17 Photo: John S. Quarterman
![[Agenda item, map]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-13--lcc-purchase-troupville/many.jpg)
![[Kayak Raffle Drawing]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-07--banks-lake-full-cold-moon-pictures/raffle.jpg)