Waccamaw Riverkeeper Event Calendar

Check out our Events Calendar!

These events are opportunities for our members and the public to support the Waccamaw Riverkeeper and increase awareness of our mission. For more information on any event, call the Waccamaw Riverkeeper at (843) 349-4007.

INVEST IN OUR RIVERS!

Upcoming Events

2010 Waccamaw Conference

When? Saturday, February 20th from 8 am to 1 pm

Where? Coastal Carolina University's Waccamaw Higher Education Center located at 160 Willbrook Blvd in Litchfield

Join the Waccamaw Riverkeeper for this annual educational conference to learn about the importance of our freshwater resources and how to protect them.

Exhibitors and speakers will be on hand to provide information on environmental issues affecting our local area. If you're interested in conservation of our water, land and way of life, you won't want to miss the following talks:

how protected lands are being managed for wildlife and public use

the value of our trees

assuring our future prosperity through climate and energy policy

how to get involved in the paddle trail project on the Waccamaw River

If you're interested in water quality and pollutants in our local rivers, you won't want to miss these talks:

efforts to update the regional water quality plan for our area

the impact of emerging pollutants on our local fish populations

recommendations for minimum flow to support our downstream uses

the impact of drought and flooding on our local water quality

.

Check out our Event Flyer!

Tickets are now available for purchase on our website or by calling our office at 843-349-4007. Tickets are $10 donation per person and include food and refreshments.

After the Waccamaw Conference, join us for our 3rd "If the River Could Talk" event to include a paddle on the Waccamaw River or a guided tour of the former Turkey Hill Plantation to include a century old cemetery and a walk down to the river. Our afternoon event is free of charge.

For more information on the afternoon event, click here.

Past Events

Christmas in the Waccamaw Watershed

Click here for the Riverkeeper's Christmas wish.

If The River Could Talk - Paddle Event on Saturday, August 8th

The first in a series of trips along the river, this paddle started at the Pireway landing in North Carolina and meander down the Waccamaw River to Old Worthams Ferry landing in South Carolina, a 12 mile paddle that included the Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve. A group of about 40 paddlers participated and were treated to lunch generously provided by Food Lion of Longs. Conway Kayak Company supplied kayaks to those without their own equipment. All in all, a very successful first paddle in this series. Stay tuned for future paddle events. Bring your canoe or kayak and let's start a discussion with the River…what will it tell us if we listen?

Winyah Rivers Foundation 2nd Annual Photo Contest

Promoting the beauty of the Winyah Rivers, our second annual photo contest was a great success! The winners were announced on Friday, July 31st at the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach who generously agreed to display the winning photos through August 2009. Thank you to our sponsors, The Horry Independent and 803 Labs, to Dixie Dugan and Sean Thompson our photo contest judges, and to the folks who are helping to make the awards ceremony special: FATZ Cafe in Conway for providing appetizers, Springmaid Beach Resort for providing linens and glassware, the Horry County Gardening Society and Grand Strand Master Gardeners for providing flowers and greenery, and Brian Roessler for providing music.

Conway's RiverFest - Saturday, June 27

Brought to you by the Conway Chamber of Commerce, thanks to those who visited the Winyah Rivers Foundation booth to learn more about the many issues that the Riverkeeper and our volunteers are working on.

BlueTrail Kick Off - Saturday, June 20

Staci Williams, the Waccamaw River Blue Trail Organizer, kicked off the partnership project between American Rivers, Waccamaw Riverkeeper and Pee Dee Land Trust to create a paddle trail along the Waccamaw River. About 50 paddlers joined in on the official start of this 3 year project! Stay tuned for more details.

Global Awareness Project's “Art Walk at Market Common” - Saturday, June 13th

On Saturday, June 13th, our friends at Global Awareness Project kicked off their Second Saturday Art Walk at Market Common with an environmental theme. The Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER Program was featured on Saturday as kids and adults alike helped to illustrate a book about the Waccamaw River and its story. Art walks continue through September 2009 with different nonprofits featured.

River Cleanup at Reaves Ferry - Saturday, June 6th

Our friends at Gray Oaks Estates Property Owners Association again hosted a river cleanup at Reaves Ferry Landing, participating in the cleanup of the river and providign a delicious lunch to all who participated. Thanks!

Waccamaw River Cleanup in Longs - Saturday, May 2nd

It was a smaller but spirited group that showed up in Longs at Anderson Landing for our annual cleanup hosted by the Stevens of Loris. Thank you to everyone who participated (thanks yakkity yakkers!) and especially Dale and Recolla Stevens who supplied the delicious chicken bog for lunch and Hoskins Restaurant in North Myrtle Beach who supplied the breakfast biscuits.

Sandy Island Cleanup - Saturday, April 25th

The Waccamaw Riverkeeper partnered with youth volunteers from Georgetown County’s Service Over Self group to clean up the public beaches and surrounding areas on Sandy Island prior to the heavy use of these areas during the summer months. Thanks to SOS, our youth volunteers and the school bus captain for the ride over.

Winyah Rivers Foundation Annual Meeting - Sunday, April 19th

We were happy to welcome our members to Winyah Rivers Foundation’s Annual Meeting held on Sunday, April 19th at Osprey Marina in Myrtle Beach. With a beautiful location by the Waccamaw River, a pig pickin’ and fixin’s provided by Larry Dickerson, chef and owner of Donzelle’s and Riverwalk Grille in Conway, we recounted our activities over the past year and our plans for the coming year and thanked our members for their support of the Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER® Program. Next year’s Annual Meeting will be held in conjunction with the 2010 River Roast South so mark your calendars now for the evening of Friday, January 29th, 2010. It’s sure to be a great event!

Waccamaw River Cleanup in Downtown Conway - Saturday, March 28th

Thank you to everyone who made this clean up one of the most rewarding ones yet! And most especially the Rickenbakers for hosting the event and providing our lunch, as well as FATZ Cafe for donating breakfast foods. The folks with Habitat for Humanity joined us and the aluminum cans collected were recycled through their recycling program. Not only did we remove trash from the river but we helped another non-profit earn some "sweat equity hours". Want to find out more about can recycling with Habitat for Humanity? Contact our office.

2009 Waccamaw Conference - Saturday, February 28th

This year’s theme, Valuing Our People and Places, gave rise to presentations on water conservation, conservation subdivisions to protect sensitive areas and water quality, legislative initiatives at the State level, results from our volunteer water monitoring program and an introduction to blue trails, the water equivalent to hiking trails, that improve recreational opportunities while promoting land conservation and water quality protections. We were honored to have Senator Raymond E. Cleary III, District 34, Charleston, Georgetown & Horry Counties, as our keynote speaker. In turn, we honored the 2008 Volunteer of the Year, the late Joe Elliott, for his dedication to the protection of the Waccamaw River and his support of the Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER® Program.

River Roast South, Kimbel Lodge @ Hobcaw Barony - Thursday, January 29th

Our first event of the year was held on Thursday, January 29th at Hobcaw Barony's Kimbel Lodge. Click here for more information.

Winyah Rivers Foundation Annual Fundraiser, River Roast @ Ripley's – Saturday, November 8th

Our biggest fundraiser of the year was held at Ripley's Aquarium. Click here for more information.

Folk Art Festival - Saturday, October 18 & Sunday, October 19

The Waccamaw Riverkeeper participated at the Jewels of the South, a folk art festival hosted by The Global Awareness Project, at the Cooper House in Socastee. Our organization is one of 12 nonprofit organizations that have been chosen to be featured in Global Awareness Project's 2009 calendar, What's Your Cultural Vision? We will be distributing these calendars at our upcoming events.

Beach Sweep/River Sweep – Saturday, September 20th

Volunteers joined the Waccamaw Riverkeeper in the Conway area to clean up trash in and on the banks of the Waccamaw River. We dedicated this year's cleanup to our dear friend and longtime volunteer, Mr. Kelly Joe Elliott. Over 60 volunteers, including students from Coastal Carolina University, local cub and scout troops, and area citizens, participated. Each signed the official Beach Sweep River Sweep t shirt which was provided to Joe's family. In addition, each participant honored and remembered Joe by tossing a white carnation into the river that Joe loved.

Winyah Rivers Foundation Photo Contest

The Board of Directors of Winyah Rivers Foundation and the staff of the Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER Program would like to thank everyone who participated in our first ever photo contest. Thanks to:

• all the photographers who participated
• our judges, Steve Berkowitz, Ron Dalto and Dixie Dugan
• Conway Library for hosting our awards event
• and especially our sponsors, The Horry Independent and 803 Labs!



BEST OF SHOW:

Mama and Children Egrets, photograph by Bill Gobbel



CATEGORY PEOPLE:

First Place - Fishing from the Bank, photography by Bill Gobbel



Second Place - Bluegrass Festival along the Waccamaw, photography by Bill Gobbel



Third Place - Sitting by the River, photography by Jessica Durant



CATEGORY LANDSCAPE/SCENIC:

First Place - Fall colors on Crabtree Canal, photography by Bill Gobbel



Second Place - Warehouse on the Waccamaw, photography by Bill Gobbel



Third Place - Southeastern Turn from River to Ocean, photography by Mary Baker



CATEGORY WILDLIFE:

First Place - Moccasin, photography by Alan Adams



Second Place - Ahinga and Egret, photography by Bill Gobbel



Third Place - Frog Taking Nap, photography by Alan Adams



River Cleanup at Old Reaves Ferry Landing – July 19th

A successful Waccamaw River cleanup in Conway! On Saturday, July 19th, we partnered with the Gray Oaks Estates Property Owners' Association to help clean up their community and along the Waccamaw River. Despite the ominous forecast, the weather held off and the overcast skies kept the temperature bearable. The only ones who got wet were those of us who took a dip in the river, whether intentional or not! We cleaned the river of about 500 pounds of trash, including the usual suspects...bottles, cans, styrofoam, etc. as well as a plastic lawn chair and a rotting 55 gallon steel drum. Following our cleanup, the Cahills hosted a wonderful lunch of chicken bog, green beans, biscuits and banana pudding for all the volunteers! A great big thank you to the Cahills and the Hannas for suggesting and organizing the cleanup and to all the participants who work so hard to keep the Waccamaw River and our communities beautiful! We hope to make this an annual event!

Waccamaw River Boat Cruise

The Waccamaw Riverkeeper participated in a Coastal Conservation League sponsored outing on Saturday, June 14th. Participants spent the morning on the Waccamaw Lady learning about the Waccamaw, its current condition and future threats, with Christine Ellis, Waccamaw Riverkeeper, Nancy Cave, CCL North Coast Office Director, and Craig Sasser, Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge Manager.

River Cleanup – Longs Area Cleanup

A successful Waccamaw River cleanup in Longs! On Saturday, May 3rd, volunteers gathered at Anderson Landing and spent the better part of three hours cleaning up trash from the landing and upstream and downstream on the Waccamaw River. The group collected over 20 bags of trash weighing almost 400 pounds! We found plenty of cans and bottles, floating debris including wood and Styrofoam, buckets, lots of fast food packages and cigarette butts. Sponsored by the volunteers of the Waccamaw Riverkeeper Program, this annual event focuses attention on the problem with litter in our waterways. Not only is trash visually unappealing, it’s unhealthy since it degrades our water quality and the habitat of the plants and animals that live there. Thank you to all the volunteers who gathered that day to clean up the Waccamaw River that day. And a very special thanks to Dale and Recolla Stevens who organized a cookout with chicken bog, pickles, pickled okra and sodas for all who participated in the cleanup.

Benefit for Winyah Rivers Foundation at IMAX® 3D Theatre – Saturday, April 19th

On Saturday, April 19th, IMAX® 3D Theatre at Broadway at the Beach hosted a benefit for the Winyah Rivers Foundation. The event included a light, continental breakfast at 9am, an educational presentation and a screening of the new IMAX 3D® film Grand Canyon Adventure 3D, which focuses on water conservation. IMAX® donated all proceeds to our organization to assist in the preservation of the rivers in Winyah Bay Watershed, including Waccamaw, Lynches, Lumber-Pee Dee, Black, Great Pee Dee and Sampit. Thank you to Gina Trimarco, General Manager of IMAX® 3D Theatre for her support!

River Cleanup – Kingston Swamp Area Cleanup

A successful Waccamaw River cleanup in Conway! On Saturday, March 29th, over 30 people gathered at the Conway Marina and spent the better part of three hours cleaning up trash in and on the banks of the Waccamaw River and the Kingston Lake area of Conway. The group collected almost 100 bags of trash weighing almost 1000 pounds or ½ ton! We found plenty of cans and bottles, floating debris including wood and Styrofoam, tires, buckets, patio furniture, sports equipment including many different varieties of balls, lots of fast food packages and cigarette butts. Sponsored by the volunteers of the Waccamaw Riverkeeper Program, this annual event focuses attention on the problem with litter in our waterways. Not only is trash visually unappealing, it’s unhealthy since it degrades our water quality and the habitat of the plants and animals that live there. Thank you to all the folks, young and old, that gathered to clean up the Waccamaw River that day. And a very special thanks to Fran and Rick Rickenbaker who organized a cookout with grilled hotdogs, baked beans, potato chips and sodas for all who participated in the cleanup.

2008 Waccamaw Conference

Our 8th Annual Waccamaw Conference, held on Saturday, March 1st, co-hosted by the Winyah Rivers Foundation and the Winyah Group of the Sierra Club, was another great success! Conservationists from across the state gathered at Coastal Carolina University’s Waccamaw Higher Education Center in Litchfield to discuss the current state of our coastal plain rivers. Our speakers were knowledgeable and entertaining, providing us with information on water quality issues, including mercury, bacteria and water quality degradation resulting from drought conditions, as well as the potential for impacts locally as a result of climate change. Local conservation groups provided information on their activities and efforts to protect our natural resources. Thank you to our speakers, exhibitors, conference organizers, volunteers and attendees who supported the 2008 Waccamaw Conference. This conference just keeps getting better and better every year and is the place to learn how to protect our wonderful river resources.

Special thanks to WPDE Newschannel 15 for sponsoring a commercial advertising our event and to The Sun News, The Georgetown Times, and The Coastal Observer for advertising and covering our event.

Neighborhood Environmental Watch or How to Be a River Watcher

The Waccamaw Riverkeeper held a 6 week training course as part of the lifelong learning program at the Waccamaw Higher Education Center in Litchfield. This 6 week education program was designed to raise citizen's knowledge and awareness of the current state of the river so that participants may become more effective stewards of their watershed. Training was provided in basic water quality science and watersheds, environmental laws and neighborhood environmental watch basics. The ultimate goal is to have graduates become more knowledgeable of and involved in the health of the watershed where they live, work and play. Click here for the Spring 2008 flyer.

A special thank you to The Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation for their support of this education initiative in Georgetown County. For more information on the training and future classes, please contact Christine Ellis, the Waccamaw Riverkeeper.

January 19 and 20—2008 Winyah Bay Heritage Festival

Thanks to all who stopped by our table. We had a great turnout, lots of questions and comments about our program and several people thanked us for watching over the watershed. Thanks also to all who helped!

May 5—Highway 9 Cleanup

On Saturday, May 5th, 2007, dedicated volunteers of the Winyah Rivers Foundation joined the Waccamaw Riverkeeper at Anderson Landing off Highway 9 in Longs to clean up trash from the Waccamaw River. Dale and Recolla Stevens provided lunch for participants following the cleanup. Thanks to all who participated! A special thanks to the Stevens for hosting the event!

March 31—Kingston Swamp Area Cleanup

On Saturday, March 31st, 2007, dedicated volunteers of the Winyah Rivers Foundation joined the Waccamaw Riverkeeper at the Conway Marina to clean up trash from the Waccamaw River upstream through Kingston Lake to Crabtree Swamp. Rick and Fran Rickenbaker provided lunch for participants following the cleanup. We were joined by Lee McLaughlin, Reporter with WPDE Newschannel 15, who reported on our activities on the 6 pm and 11 pm news that evening. Thanks to all who participated and to WPDE for their coverage of our event. A special thanks to the Rickenbakers for hosting the event!

March 24—2007 Waccamaw Conference, co-hosted by the Waccamaw Riverkeeper Program and the Winyah Group of the Sierra Club

Our 7th Annual Waccamaw Conference, held on Saturday, March 24th, co-hosted by the Winyah Rivers Foundation and the Winyah Group of the Sierra Club, was a great success! The folks at Coastal Carolina University’s Waccamaw Higher Education Center in Litchfield Beach provided a wonderful venue. Our speakers were knowledgeable and entertaining, providing us with information on the current state of the Waccamaw River and practical solutions to help protect it. Our exhibitors provided good information on the effort of local conservation and volunteer groups in our area and the Field and Stream Clinics provided some practical, hands-on demonstrations of the recreation and conservation aspects of our watershed.

After lunch, attendees enjoyed a fantastic cruise on the Waccamaw Lady, enjoying narration on the local flora and fauna. Thank you to each and every one of our speakers and exhibitors that day.

Special thanks to WPDE Newschannel 15, DDC Engineers and Osprey Marina, our sponsors for this event. Thanks also to the conference committee members who spent much time and energy planning and participating in the success of the conference.

With attendance up, a wonderful venue, informative speakers and exhibitors, and a fantastic cruise down the Waccamaw River, the conference committee thanks all involved for your part in a very successful 2007 Waccamaw Conference.