Lamar Paris Selected to Receive the

Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award

March 12, 2010 at Brasstown Valley Resort

Lamar Paris, Sole Commissioner of Union County, Ga. has been named the recipient of the second annual Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award. The award will be presented at a banquet set for Friday, March 12, 2010 at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, Ga. The Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award Banquet & Silent Auction is held annually to celebrate the relatively good water quality still being measured in the Hiwassee River and its tributaries and to honor the person or group that has done the most over the past year to protect it. The event is also a fundraiser for HRWC, designed to help better secure the organization’s long term future. The silent auction begins at 5:30 and will feature best art and craft items made and sold right here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as rare books and other unique items; the banquet and award presentation begins at 6:30. Online reservations are already being accepted; seating is limited so set your place early! Sponsorships are also being accepted. Visit the banquet page for details.

Winter Bird Watch Outing on Lake Chatuge

Saturday, February 6th, 7:00am

Join other HRWC members on Saturday, February 6th for a birding outing led by long-time HRWC board member and Young Harris College professor, Brenda Hull.  Participants will meet at 7:00am at Mary’s Southern Grill on GA 17 in Young Harris and carpool to various sites around Lake Chatuge. We will be seeing primarily waterfowl, but will also be looking for other birds that spend the winter with us!  The event is expected to last about two and a half hours and is free. Upon return, all are welcome to share breakfast at Mary’s.  If you will eat with the group, please plan to pay for your own meal and RSVP to the HRWC office so that we can let Mary know in advance how many are coming.

Drought Has Ended! Why Conserve Water?

A recent government survey showed at least 36 states (including Georgia) are anticipating local, regional, or statewide water shortages by 2013. But by using water more efficiently, we can help preserve water supplies for future generations, save money, and protect the environment. In 2009, HRWC completed the required paperwork to become a WaterSense Promotional Partner. WaterSense is a public private partnership between the EPA and others to protect future water supplies by promoting the use of water efficient products and services. Read more…

Do You Have Invasive Plants on Your Property?

Chances Are the Answer is "Yes"!

Last year HRWC Restoration coordinator, Tony Ward compiled general information and photographs of nearly 30 species of invasive plants that are commonly found in the upper Hiwassee River watershed. Web pages have been created to help educate residents as to which species to avoid and why. HRWC has started a series of workdays to remove invasive plants from the riparian buffers of our restoration project sites.

If you are interested in learning more about invasive plants and/or you want to be notified of future restoration program workdays, email Tony or call (828) 837-5414 ext. 203. Click here to visit the Invasive Plants web pages; links are also available to other sites with more detailed information.

Students and teachers worked on Earth Day to remove invasive plants along the Valley River at the Murphy High School track.