Join us for a cozy Meet & Greet Bonfire with the WWALS Watershed Coalition! This relaxed evening is a chance to connect with fellow members, meet new faces, and warm up around the fire. We’ll chat about upcoming outings, share updates on our advocacy work, and enjoy good food and great company.
When: 6 PM, Friday, December 12, 2025
Put In: Janet Martin, 3892 Hickory Grove Rd N, Valdosta, GA 31606
![[WWALS Social, bonfire at Janet's, near Mud Swamp Creek, above Alapahoochee River]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-12-12--social-janet-bonfire/fbmany.jpg)
WWALS Social, bonfire at Janet’s, near Mud Swamp Creek, above Alapahoochee River
Well, after watching lightning strike straight down onto Banks Lake, expedition leader Turtleman Chris Adams called it off, the Full Buck Moon Paddle, 2025-07-10. Nobody paddled onto our watery living room near Lakeland, Georgia.
![[Full Buck Moon Paddle, Banks Lake NWR 2025-07-10, Called off because of lightning]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-07-10--full-buck-moon-banks-lake-pictures/fbmany.jpg)
Full Buck Moon Paddle, Banks Lake NWR 2025-07-10, Called off because of lightning
So many people had requested boats that I had brought one of the WWALS canoes and an extra kayak. As you can see, few people showed up, because of the weather.
Here is a video WWALS Outings Committee Co-Chair Kimberly Godden Tanner took
of us with banners.
You can see lightning flashes and hear thunder.
https://youtu.be/TB-PWP_Zauo?si=fKcaYfYaQgGs1tRx Continue reading
Join us for a leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle on Banks Lake, our watery living room. If we’re lucky, there will be bats.
When: Gather 6:45 PM, launch 7:15 PM, moonrise 7:53 PM, sunset 7:48 PM, end 8:45 PM, Sunday, September 7, 2025
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
![[Full Harvest Moon Paddle on Banks Lake, Near Lakeland, GA, Sunday, September 7, 2025]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-09-07--full-harvest-moon-banks-lake/fbmany.jpg)
Full Harvest Moon Paddle on Banks Lake, Near Lakeland, GA, Sunday, September 7, 2025
Join WWALS for a relaxed social outing where members, friends, and newcomers can get to know each other, share ideas, and learn more about our upcoming outings, clean water advocacy efforts, and volunteer opportunities.
*Georgia Beer Company will still be open as usual; we have NOT reserved the entire facility for this event.
*This event it open to members and non-members.
When: 2-4 PM, Sunday, October 19, 2025
Location: Georgia Beer Company, 109 S Briggs St, Valdosta, GA
![[Meet and greet at Georgia Beer Company, 109 S Briggs St, Valdosta GA, Sunday, October 19, 2025]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-10-19--meet-greet-ga-beer-co/fbmany.jpg)
Meet and greet at Georgia Beer Company, 109 S Briggs St, Valdosta GA, Sunday, October 19, 2025
This is a dutch treat event. Feel free to grab a bite to eat or sample some local craft beer while you mingle. Whether you’re a long-time paddler, new to watershed protection, or just curious about what we do, this is a great chance to connect.
Let’s raise a glass to clean water and strong community—we hope to see you there!
Continue readingJoin WWALS Watershed Coalition for a casual Meet and Greet at beautiful Banks Lake before our popular Full Moon Paddle! This is a great chance to meet WWALS members, chat about upcoming outings and advocacy work, and enjoy the evening air by the lake.
When: 6 PM to 9:30 PM, Saturday, August 9, 2025
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
Continue readingThanks to Gee Edwards for leading this one at the last minute, after Janet had some sort of dancing injury.
Janet did not paddle. Nor did I, although I brought Honeybun, Blondie, and Sky to help out. River stayed home.
Janet and Gee are WWALS Board members.
Janet and Kim Tanner (not present) are the co-chairs of the WWALS Outings Committee.
Maybe you’d like to join that committee to help schedule outings.
https://wwals.net/about/committees/#wwals-outings
The next Full Moon paddle is Continue reading
The Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT) is mentioned numerous times in the Echols County Comprehensive Plan 2025-2030, as is Suwannee Riverkeeper, including in the 5-Year Community Work Program Update for projects “Promote Suwannee River Boat Ramp” and “Work with private organizations to keep the river passable”.
![[Echols County Comprehensive Plan, with water trails: Alapaha and Suwannee]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-06-03--echols-county-comprehensive-plan-pictures/fbmany.jpg)
Echols County Comprehensive Plan, with water trails: Alapaha and Suwannee
Sitting up front at this Transmittal Public Hearing were County Manager Alan Levesque and Alexandra Arzayus, Planner II, Southern Georgia Regional Commission (SGRC). Thanks to them for organizing the series of meetings that led up to this one. The Echols County Commission is expected to vote Thursday to transmit this plan to the state of Georgia. Continue reading
Back at the April 10, 2025, Valdosta City Council meeting, two agenda items were for Professional Design Services Proposals financed from the recently-approved $67 million in municipal bonds. Both are related to the sewer line near Knights Creek that notoriously has spilled sewage multiple times.
Knights Creek runs into Mud Swamp Creek just below the Mud Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (MCWTP) and on to the Alapahoochee, Alapaha, and Suwannee Rivers.
![[Two Valdosta sewer projects from new municipal bonds, plus one from user fees @ VCC 2025-04-10]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-04-10--vld-sewer-projects/many.jpg)
Two Valdosta sewer projects from new municipal bonds, plus one from user fees @ VCC 2025-04-10
That’s $485,010 for Continue reading
Janet Martin led the evening paddle Monday, and wrote:
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s Full Moon Paddle at Bank’s Lake! We had 9 participants in 6 boats, including two wonderful ladies who drove all the way from Tallahassee to join us!
A special shout-out to Kim Tanner for bringing the banner and capturing the moment with a great group picture!
![[Full Flower Moon Paddle, Banks Lake NWR 2025-05-12, Lakeland, GA, Alapaha River Water Trail]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-05-12--full-flower-moon-paddle-pictures/fbmany.jpg)
Full Flower Moon Paddle, Banks Lake NWR 2025-05-12, Lakeland, GA, Alapaha River Water TrailThe weather was absolutely perfect, and the sunset was nothing short of breathtaking. Huge thanks to Janet for leading and Pam for being our fantastic sweep for the night, ensuring everyone stayed safe and together.
And we are excited to welcome Nina as our newest member! Let’s give her a warm WWALS welcome!
Did you know? Continue reading
It was perfect weather to see the sun set and the moon rise.
One person flew a thousand miles to paddle on Banks Lake at the Full Worm Moon.
Thanks to Kimberly Godden Tanner for organizing this one.
![[Full Worm Moon Paddle, Banks Lake NWR, Lakeland, GA, 2025-03-14]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-03-14--banks-lake-full-worm-moon-paddle-pictures/fbmany.jpg)
Full Worm Moon Paddle, Banks Lake NWR, Lakeland, GA, 2025-03-14
Join us tomorrow for
Full Flower Moon Paddle, Banks Lake 2025-05-12.
https://wwals.net/?p=67005
For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see Continue reading
![[Meet and Greet at Banks Lake, 6 PM, Saturday, August 9, 2025, Bring a chair, snacks; drinks; Paddle later or just sit and chat]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-08-09--meet-greet-banks-lake/fbmany.jpg)
![[Full Strawberry Moon, Banks Lake NWR 2025-06-12, A small but hardy crowd, not scared of rain predictions]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-06-11--full-strawberry-moon-banks-lake-pictures/many.jpg)