On January 8, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the on-going water dispute between Florida and Georgia related to the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system. Riverkeeper Dan Tonsmeire and board member Joyce Estes attended the hearing, waiting outside in line well before sunrise. Both were encouraged by the justices line of questioning and the […]
Apalachicola Riverkeeper encouraged by SCOTUS case Read More »
By Doug Alderson Cool weather didn’t deter a few hardy folks from enjoying a fourth Saturday paddling trip on the upper Apalachicola River from Aspalaga Landing just below I-10 to Ocheesee Landing, about six miles. A mature bald eagle greeted us soon after embarking. It was the first 4th Saturday paddle for Georgia Ackerman as
Apalachicola Riverkeeper recently hired Georgia Ackerman to succeed Riverkeeper, Dan Tonsmeire, who is retiring in early 2018. She will work as our Riverkeeper-Executive Director. Dan and Georgia will be working together over the next few months to ensure a seamless transition. Georgia has been involved with Apalachicola Riverkeeper for over a decade as a business
by Mary Balthrop Although ultimately everything about RiverTrek was inspiring to me, ahead of time this wasn’t the case. I was intimidated about fundraising. But then to my surprise, friends and family were so enthusiastic and supportive about my effort on behalf of the Riverkeeper that they often expressed gratitude at being given the opportunity
By Georgia Ackerman Apalachicola Riverkeeper volunteers who lead river and hiking trips know that connecting people to their natural habitat is crucial in achieving long-term conservation goals. They also know leading nature-based trips is terrific fun! Â Our staff and volunteers agree that the best way to learn about a place is firsthand experience. Volunteers lead
Dr. Andy Gannon, of Birmingham-Southern College, is conducting a research project in the Apalachicola Bay to study how changing salinity patterns in the Apalachicola Estuary are affecting Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) populations, including their migration patterns, recruitment, parasite load, survival and reproduction. Apalachicola Riverkeeper is providing some initial coordination and episodic boat support. This study
Blue Crab Research in Apalachicola Bay by Dan Tonsmeire Read More »
Dear Members and Friends, Earlier this year, our tireless leader and man-in-perpetual motion, Dan Tonsmeire, let us know that he would like to retire. For a while, we pretended not to hear him and simply hoped the feeling would pass. Unfortunately, it didn’t. As a result, the board of directors has been working for some
Dan Tonsmeire, our Apalachicola Riverkeeper since 2004, to retire Read More »
Means Creek, Day One Rivertrek 2017, by Harley Means We met the Rivertrek group at the confluence of Means Creek and the Apalachicola River. The group hiked up a limestone escarpment and headed east. Along the way we observed limestone cropping out near the surface and saw several sinkholes as we neared the caves. At
For Immediate Release September 25, 2017 Contact: Dan Tonsmeire, Apalachicola Riverkeeper 850.653.8936 Environmental groups oppose new county and state permits for drilling in Calhoun County Apalachicola, FL – Florida environmentalists are weighing in on a proposal to drill for oil in Florida’s Apalachicola Basin. The application by Spooner Petroleum of Ridgeland Mississippi, seeks approval to
Environmental groups oppose new county and state permits for drilling in Calhoun County Read More »
As Apalachicola Riverkeeper’s 2017 RiverTrek prepares for its October launch, former board member Earl Morrogh talks about the how he conceived and executed the very first such trip. Although October mornings in northwest Florida are typically cool and dry, this particular mid-October day in 2009 had dawned warm and moist.  Heavy fog obscured the opposite
