December 19, 2025: Nature granted us rare and pristine gifts in the Apalachicola River, Bay, and basin. Their worth is written in the living abundance and diversity they cradle—not in the profit others would extract from their ruination. The work of Apalachicola Riverkeeper is to keep a steadfast watch over these gifts and to answer attempts to wound or plunder them. This year has been one of vigilance and action for us, as we continued our work to stop oil drilling in the heart of the Apalachicola River floodplain.
Thank you again for your incredible support. We simply could not do this work without you. Let’s continue building on Apalachicola Riverkeeper unwavering efforts to protect and restore Florida’s Apalachicola River and Bay.
Look what your support accomplished in 2025!
In June 2025, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) issued a groundbreaking order denying an oil drilling permit to in the floodplain of the Apalachicola River, after administrative law judge sided with Apalachicola Riverkeeper (ARK) and recommended such a denial. Both the judge and FDEP acknowledged the oil well’s economic infeasibility and significant threat to the river basin’s sensitive lands and waterways. This decision set a powerful legal precedent.
In a separate victory, ARK worked with the grassroots coalition, Kill the Drill, to achieve an oil drilling ban in the Apalachicola River basin. The ban became law on July 1, 2025. Supporters like you turned out in record numbers, which was key to this unprecedented legislative triumph. Thank you!
Within a month of that legislative victory, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced an intention to resume navigational dredging of the Apalachicola River. In the 1950s, the Corps began what became one of the most destructive, expensive, and least-trafficked navigational projects in Corps history, costing U.S. taxpayers from 40 to 50 times the national average barge cost per ton-mile. Damage from Corps
dredging, as well as from its reckless placement of enormous volumes of dredged sand at numerous locations along the river’s banks, led FDEP in 2005 to deny the Corps permits to continue dredging. But a changed political climate has prompted the Corps and barge shipping interests to try to resurrect their failed navigation project. Apalachicola Riverkeeper has begun what will be a long battle to stop the resumption of such dredging by the Corps.
In 2025, your financial gifts also supported:
Tons of trash were removed in the Apalachicola River Basin during the annual Coastal Clean-Up, Riverpalooza, and public boat ramp and park cleanups ups.
Outreach and educational outings were led for students, community members, and others to foster the understanding of the vast and complex connectivity of the Apalachicola River and Bay system, its diversity of plant and animal life, and importance to the history and future of its people.
The Slough Restoration Project completed work at Douglas Slough and East River. The team continues work at Spiders Cut. Restoring connectivity between the floodplain and river during times of low flow is essential to maintain the food chain that begins in floodplain swamps and extends all the way to the Bay and Gulf. *Restoration was made necessary by the Corps’ refusal to remove sand plugs formed by dredged sand at the entrances to sloughs and creeks that connect the river and floodplain.
The 18th Annual RiverTrek public outreach and fundraising campaign fielded the most paddlers in ARK history. The volunteer kayakers spent months raising both funds and awareness for the protection of the Apalachicola River. We are thankful for the many people, including the support team who ensured the event’s success.
We are also enormously proud of The Katie Herzog Scholarship given each year to talented Franklin County high school students who are headed to college. Congratulations to Mya and Isabella!
River Watch patrols and visual survey monitoring were maintained along with Water Quality Monitoring and microplastics sampling. We also continued our partnership with Florida Waterkeepers to improve state water quality policies water.
Apalachicola Riverkeeper’s advocacy began twenty-six years ago and stands strong today because of you. Your contributions have fueled the powerful voice needed to keep protecting, restoring, and speaking up for this great American treasure. The rewards of your gifts are enduring. We are grateful.
Standing Up for the River and Bay,
Your Apalachicola Riverkeeper Team
The Staff and Board of Directors wish you a joy-filled holiday season!
