2nd annual BIG Little River Paddle Event is postponed.

The ranger at Reed Bingham has elected to postpone the paddle event due to unsafe water levels on the Little River in the park and no significant drop in water levels today. I think this is the right thing to do. We want a safe, fun event. The event will be moved to Saturday, March 29 at same times. Anyone who pre-registered for the event who does not wish to come on the 29th will be given a refund. Feel free to call me with any questions or concerns. Bret

Billboard, BIG Little River Paddle Event

You should see these billboards around Valdosta starting today. Thanks to Fairway for the artwork.

There’s still time to register online or by sending a check, for the Second Annual BIG Little River Paddle Event, at Reed Bingham State Park, this Saturday, 22 March 2014, to benefit Friends of Reed Bingham State Park and WWALS Watershed Coalition.

Continue reading →

Moody AFB Installation Complex Encroachment Management Action Plan (ICEMAP)

On 19 February 2014 WWALS Watershed Coalition received the appended letter from the United States Air Force about a study regarding encroachment around Moody Air Force Base, between Valdosta and Lakeland in Lowndes and Lanier Counties, in the watershed of the Alapaha River. Several documents were attached:

From: Mike Lynch <ml@marstel-day.com>
Date: Wed, Feb 19, 2014 at 10:32 AM
Subject: Moody Air Force Base Installation Complex Encroachment Management Action Plan (ICEMAP)
To:
Cc: "NICHOLS, DIONDRA R GS-11 USAF ACC 23 CES/CENPP" <diondra.nichols@us.af.mil>


On behalf of Headquarters Air Force and the 23d Wing, Marstel-Day, LLC is developing an "Installation Complex Encroachment Management Action Plan" (ICEMAP) for Moody Air Force Base (AFB), Georgia and its associated installations and facilities. Attached is a memo Continue reading →

How Many Trees Does It Take to Protect a Stream?

Stroud Water Center wrote in their Upstream Newsletter, VOL. 2014, ISSUE 1, February 2014,

Scientists Set Buffer Width Minimum Standard.

A strip of forest along a stream channel, also called a riparian forest buffer, has been proposed and used for decades as a best management practice to protect streams by filtering out contaminants from agriculture and other land uses before they can enter them.Their benefits are many, but one benefit has dominated social and political conversations, and that is their role in preventing contaminants from entering streams.

20140317-140845.jpg
Stroud Center Director Bern Sweeney practicing what he preaches at a tree planting event. Photo: David Arscott

A few years ago, Stroud Water Research Center proposed that riparian forest buffers also play another important role by Continue reading →

Georgia Outdoor Map

Interesting interactive map by Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Outdoor Map. Their PR of 14 March 2014, DNR Launches Interactive Map of Recreational Lands,

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today unveiled an interactive map that identifies DNR-managed lands and outdoor recreation opportunities. The “Georgia Outdoor Map” includes state parks, wildlife management areas, public fishing areas, boat ramps, and historic sites. Users are able to search by category to find locations where they can camp, hunt, hike, fish or explore history.

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Still time to register for BIG Little River Paddle Event

WWALS Outings Chair Bret Wagenhorst says:

Don’t forget, there is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty of one of our south GA blackwater rivers and help raise money for WWALS and Friends of Reed Bingham this coming Saturday, March 22 at The second annual BIG Little River Paddle Event. There is still time to register on line.

Big Little River Paddle Event in Tifton Gazette

Ten days from now, float downstream, or race to the finish!

10 March 2014 in the Tifton Gazette, Little River Paddle Race March 22,

ADEL — Join the Friends of Reed Bingham State Park and WWALS Watershed Coalition on March 22 for the second annual Big Little River Paddle Race.

The race starts at 11 a.m. at Red Roberts Landing and flows down the 3-mile section of Little River and ends at Lake Reed Bingham.

Registration will be Continue reading →

Draft Agenda for WWALS March 2014 board meeting

Board meetings are open to the public. Board members are listed on the website.

Draft Agenda
WWALS Board of Directors
7:30 PM Wednesday 12 March 2014
IHOP, Adel, GA
  1. Call to Order, Welcome and Introductions
  2. Speaker, 20 minutes: Charles Stines about his experience on our region’s rivers.
  3. Agenda Review: Additions and Changes
  4. Review and Approval of Minutes
    1. 12 February 2014 Board meeting minutes
  5. Past Meetings and Events
    1. Monthly outing February (fourth Saturday): February 22 – location? Cancelled due to all rivers too high.
  6. Future Meetings and Events Continue reading →

Draft Agenda for WWALS March 2014 board meeting

Board meetings are open to the public. Board members are listed on the website.

Draft Agenda
WWALS Board of Directors
7:30 PM Thursday 13 March 2014
IHOP, Adel, GA if speaker, else by teleconference
  1. Call to Order, Welcome and Introductions
  2. Speaker, 20 minutes: Charles Stines about his experience on our region’s rivers.
  3. Agenda Review: Continue reading →