Waccamaw Riverkeeper

Each water body has its own unique challenges and the Waccamaw River is no exception. Protecting and preserving it will require a team of people dedicated to that goal. In this community-based approach, we work collaboratively to understand and address the issues that affect our watershed.

We own the problems. We own the solutions. And, as local stakeholders, we can identify locally relevant solutions that take into account our community’s unique social, economic and environmental conditions and values.

For more information on our programs and activities, click here to send the Riverkeeper an e-mail (wrk@coastal.edu) or call 843-349-4007.

Monthly volunteer meetings are held on the last Thursday of the month from 6 to 7 pm. Meetings are held at Coastal Carolina University's Center for Marine and Wetland Studies building in the Atlantic Center, across Hwy 501 from the Main Campus, in Room 100. Warning: Meeting dates and locations are subject to change. For more information and to reserve your spot, call 349-4007.

2010 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR is...HAL VIVIAN!

The Waccamaw Riverkeeper Joy Pinson Award for Exceptional Service to the Waccamaw River for 2010 was awarded to Hal Vivian. Hal is a longtime member of Winyah Rivers Foundation, serving in its early years as both a board member and volunteer and continuing his service over the past decade since Winyah Rivers Foundation was incorporated in January 2001. In addition, Hal has served as a Team Leader for the Waccamaw River Volunteer Monitoring Project, as one of the organizers of our fundraiser, River Celebration, and in many other capacities to support the work of Winyah Rivers Foundation and the Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER® Program. Given Hal's involvement over the past decade, it is an honor to recognize him as the 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award on the 10th anniversary of Winyah Rivers Foundation and our mission to protect, preserve, monitor and revitalize the health of the lands and waters of the greater Winyah Bay watershed. Hal lives in Murrells Inlet with his beautiful and equally charitable wife, Alice. They are staunch volunteers for many of the local conservation organizations in the area, including Brookgreen Gardens and the Waccamaw Audubon Society, in addition to Winyah Rivers Foundation. Congratulations and thank you to Hal for his support of Winyah Rivers Foundation and the Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER® Program.

For previous winners of The Waccamaw Riverkeeper Joy Pinson Award for Exceptional Service to the Waccamaw River, please scroll down.

Volunteer opportunities include:

• River Watch (Water, Land, Air)
• Water Monitoring
• Membership Activities
• Volunteer Coordinating
• Legislative Monitoring
• Public Speaking
• Fundraising
• Event Coordinating
• Grant Writing/Grant Researching
• Event Planning
• Newsletter Assistance
• Website Assistance

Seniors, we need your help too! Click here to get involved through Coastal Carolina University's Senior Services Directory.

Previous Volunteer of the Year Award

2009 - Valerie Moliterno

2008 - Joe Elliott

2007 - John Bracken

2006 - Arthur “Rick” Rickenbaker

2005 - Buddy Freeman

2004 - Kaye and Charles King

2003 - Elizabeth Weems

2002 - Diana Jackson

2001 - Joy Pinson

Congratulations to all our Volunteers of the Year and to all of our wonderful volunteers!