The Tift Area Water Issues Steering Committee expresses appreciation to all who worked so hard to make the WATER MATTERS Symposium & Panel a great event on Saturday, Aug. 21.  The volunteers who contributed their time and talent are too numerous to name – just know you deserve all the compliments received by your co-chairs.  The five gifted experts who wove together their presentations about the science and politics of current water issues in our state and how they impact our area kept the attention of their audience of over 70 for nearly six hours!  Deep appreciation goes to Dr. Jim Hook, UGA NESPAL; Gordon Rogers, Flint Riverkeeper;  Woody Hicks, Jones Ecological Research Center; Nap Caldwell, senior advisor to director of Georgia EPD; and Neill Herring, environmental lobbyist.

We also thank those who contributed financially to make the symposium free to the public.  Corporate sponsors included:  Flint Riverkeeper, Adcock Pecan Company, Lang Printing, NESPAL, Tifton/Tift County Utilities Department and Wal-Mart.  Individual donors were:  Louise and Dave Hetzel, Marianna and Vince Keesee, Linda and Patrick Atwater, Yancey Carter III, Ellen and Dan Corrie, Dr. Larry Moorman, Patty and Frank Parrish, Dr. Steve and Jeannie Rigdon, Julie Sharpe, Dr. William Tietjen, Dr. Joe and Bette Turner, Dr. Clifford A. Walker, Wanda and Powell Gaines, the Rev. Sam and Helen Rogers, Drs. William and Sara Smith, Dr. Bret Wagenhorst and Gina Wiggins.  A big “thank you” goes to all of them!

Symposium participants benefited from the numerous displays and free materials for their use, provided by the County Extension Service, Tifton/Tift County Utility Department,  UGA (Tifton) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Jones Ecological Research Center, Adopt-A-Stream, Georgia River Network, Georgia Water Coalition, Georgia Councils of Garden Clubs, Flint Riverkeeper, Satilla Riverkeeper, C.M. Stripling Irrigation Research Park, Eco-Tourism and Recreational Uses of Water, The Nature Conservancy.  Everyone attending expresses their appreciation for those extra opportunities to learn.

Our last word of appreciation must be to the staff of the Flint Riverkeeper – for serving as our fiscal sponsor and providing their incredible guidance in organizing the event.  To view photos from the day, visit www.flintriverkeeper.org and click on their Facebook icon.  While visiting their website, explore their goals and work and consider joining this organization as a means of staying informed about water issues.

The success of this first undertaking of our committee clearly indicates good news for the future of water issues in our area.  The interest shown, the awareness and knowledge of issues gained by symposium participants and the new ideas and ways to do our water business in the future — all give impetus to the on-going work of our committee.

Water Matters!  So you will be hearing from this group again and often in the near future!



With appreciation,

Helen Rogers and

Karen Hendrix

Co-Chairs of Water

Issues Steering

Committee