Waccamaw Riverkeeper

Christine Ellis                                               Kelly Davis

Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER®             Assistant RIVERKEEPER®

Click here to send Christine an e-mail (Riverkeeper@winyahrivers.org).

Click here to send Kelly an e-mail (Riverkeeper2@winyahrivers.org).

Meet the Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER^®

Christine Ellis has been the Waccamaw Riverkeeper since August 2006 when she replaced Hampton Shuping, Jr. who had served since June 2002. Christine has a Bachelor of Science in Biology, specializing in Zoology, from the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada and a Master of Science in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco in California. Immediately prior to joining Winyah Rivers Foundation, she was employed as an Adjunct Professor at Horry-Georgetown Technical College and at Coastal Carolina University. She has an extensive background in environmental compliance and management for industry. Many of these skills translate nicely into the nonprofit world.

From Barb Postles, former WRF President ...

”Christine is an energetic environmentalist. Her former coworkers and employers speak highly of her skills and her work ethic. We are delighted to welcome her to the Riverkeeper program and full-time advocacy work,“ said Barb Postles, former WRF President.

From Christine …

I am proud to be the Waccamaw Riverkeeper, proud to be a member of the Winyah Rivers Foundation, and proud to lead the education and advocacy efforts for this worthwhile cause. I enjoy working with others who love the Waccamaw River and want to protect and preserve our natural heritage for ourselves and future generations to enjoy.

As the Waccamaw Riverkeeper, it’s my job to advocate for the ecological, social and economic health and integrity of the Waccamaw River watershed. These responsibilities include:

• educating the public regarding the work of the Winyah Rivers Foundation and the Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER^® program;
• increasing commitment to our program through membership development and involvement;
• recruiting, training and maintaining a motivated volunteer network to serve as the “eyes and ears” of their local communities;
• maintaining an on-the-river presence to investigate pollution sources, support monitoring efforts, provide education, and raise public awareness of river issues;
• coordinating with local, state and federal agencies and other environmental groups to stay abreast of actions affecting the Waccamaw River and watershed; and
• facilitating fundraising activities to support the Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER^® Program and its mission.

Meet the Assistant RIVERKEEPER®

Kelly joined Winyah Rivers Foundation as the Assistant RIVERKEEPER® in February 2013. As a U.S. Air Force dependent daughter for 23 years, she had the opportunity to live in many beautiful areas of the country, including Myrtle Beach, SC, from 1982 to 1985. She started her environmental career at the age of 10. While living on Oahu, Hawaii, Kelly and her classmates wrote letters to members of congress to change the proposed location of a hazardous waste site next to their elementary school. They won!

Kelly has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Salisbury University in Maryland. She has previously worked for two RIVERKEEPER® programs, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Chesapeake Bay Field Office, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and served as the Vice President of an all-volunteer watershed organization in Annapolis, Maryland, for more than two years. She has a background in natural resources management, water quality science, fisheries science and stream ecology. Her experience working with governments, businesses, community organizations, and volunteers of all ages will help further efforts in advocating for the ecological, social and economic health and integrity of the Waccamaw River watershed and the greater Winyah Bay watershed.

From Kelly...

“The ‘aina and wai (land and water in Hawaiian) are not ours to destroy. We are all caretakers of this earth.” I look forward to becoming as involved in the Waccamaw River watershed community as I have been in the Chespeake Bay watershed. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Christine and Winyah Rivers Foundation volunteers to help protect and preserve the Waccamaw River for current and future generations.