Volunteer of
the Year - Bonny Putney
Bonny Putney, Buford, GA. Known as the “Trash Queen”,
Bonny is a tireless and enthusiastic advocate for Georgia’s rivers
and lakes. She is instrumental in getting citizens involved in cleaning up
Georgia’s waterways through her work organizing clean ups on Lake Lanier
and the Chattahoochee River and serving as a board member for Rivers Alive.
Bonny has spent most of her life caring about and helping the environment.
If there is a trash cleanup, a paddling trip or any other river event in
the area, you can expect to find Bonny Putney in charge or helping out. With
a corporate background in handling hazardous waste materials, Bonny naturally
gravitated towards community clean-up projects. Her first experience with
large citizen events was helping develop and run the “Fall and Spring
into Recycling” Campaign in the 1990s. For the past six years, she
has been a board member of Rivers Alive, Georgia’s annual volunteer
waterway cleanup event. Bonny helped Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper organize
six cleanups last year. With help from 40 volunteers over two weekends, the
group removed 350 pounds of trash from the Chattahoochee between Highway
115 Bridge and Belton Bridge, including tires, chairs and the usual cans
and plastic bottles. Bonny says that cleaning up trash gives her an immediate
sense of gratification as she helps to turn a littered eyesore into a beautiful
vista. She participates in Georgia River Network’s “Paddle Georgia” each
year and also writes an article for the Georgia Canoe Association called “Trash
Talk.” She has had photographs published in various lake magazines
and newspapers, and she likes to take trash and transform it into art and
yard projects. The river community is appreciative to have an individual
like Bonny Putney mobilizing volunteers and translating her passion for rivers
into tangible, visible results for many of Georgia’s waterways.
Bonny Putney at a clean up.
Conservationist
of the Year - Frank Sagona
Frank Sagona, Varnell, GA. Frank is the Director of the Conasauga River
Alliance. His leadership in the restoration and preservation of the watershed,
as well as his commitment to the education of those within its boundaries,
has had significant results for the Conasauga River, a locally and nationally
significant resource that hosts more than 90 species of fish and 25 species
of freshwater mussels. The Conasauga River Alliance achieved several milestones
in 2007, the 10th anniversary of the organization. These include “on-the-ground” fixes,
extensive press coverage of Alliance activities, an increase in sponsorship
members, helping fund and distribute more than 650 copies of the new “Field
Guide to Fishes of the Conasauga River System”, implementing a successful
golf tournament fund raiser in September, and increased membership. Frank
is involved with several grants that fund work in the watershed. More than
$2.3 million in cash and in-kind contributions will be invested in water
quality improvements in the Conasauga by the Alliance and the Limestone Valley
RC & D to address polluted runoff over a 12 year period. Under Frank’s
leadership, the Alliance completed the first phase of a restoration project
at the historic and popular Varnell Springs. The site is now used as an outdoor
classroom for area elementary classes and school groups to observe the water
quality and aquatic life of north Georgia limestone springs. Greg Jones,
President of the Conasausga River Alliance, says of Frank, "Frank Sagona
is a dependable individual, whose hard work and dedication to the Conasauga
River watershed is evident through his words, and even more so through his
actions. His tireless efforts in the restoration and preservation of the
watershed, as well as, his commitment to the education of those within its
boundaries are to be commended."
Frank Sagona, Director of Conasauga River Alliance
Watershed Group of the Year - High Falls Towaliga Watershed Alliance
High Falls Towaliga Watershed Alliance, Jackson, Ga. The High Falls Towaliga
Watershed Alliance is a citizen-based group working to identify and resolve
environmental issues; to improve and protect High Falls Lake and its watershed;
to interact with local, state and federal agencies to preserve High Falls
Lake and its environs; to promote fellowship, education and communication;
and to improve the quality of life for members and area residents. The Alliance
is run by a 13 member, volunteer, executive board. With a budget of $3000,
160 members, and community involvement in five counties, the alliance continues
to grow in numbers and its role in protecting the watershed. Activities include
participation in the Adopt A Lake Program for High Falls Lake and park and
river cleanups on the Towaliga River and High Falls Road. They also organize
local activities such as a 4th of July boat parade. The Alliance works with
all local governments and state representatives. They worked tirelessly with
the Lamar County officials to defeat a C&D landfill proposed for the
watershed. They also succeeded in getting a new sewer line to local residents,
blocking zoning to allow an apartment complex on the shore of the Towaliga
River, and were able to resolve a land dispute about the High Falls Lake
shoreline. They have even had the time to isolate the cause of Fecal Coliform
in lake water to failing septic tanks. The watershed encompasses 200 square
miles and is part of the Ocmulgee River basin.
Bud Queen (Left), President of High Falls Towaliga Watershed Alliance
Sally Bethea River Champion Award - Sally Bethea
This is a new award established as a lifetime achievement award in honor
of Sally’s leadership in protecting Georgia’s water resources
and in celebration of Georgia River Network’s ten year anniversary.
This award will be given every ten years.
Sally Bethea is Riverkeeper, Director, and Founder of the Upper Chattahoochee
Riverkeeper. She served on the Department of Natural Resources Board, has
been listed several years as one of Georgia Trend’s “100 Most
Influential Georgians”, and is cofounder of the Georgia Water Coalition.
Sally has been a friend and role model to each of Georgia’s waterkeeper
groups and to many others in Georgia’s conservation community. Her
ability of “speaking truth to power” characterizes Sally’s
25 plus-year career of effectively advocating for Georgia’s swamps,
streams, rivers, lakes, and marshes. Sally is an important, statewide voice
for water planning, and a strong advocate of watershed groups outside of
her own. She spearheaded the effort that led to the “Atlanta Sewer
Lawsuit”, a victory that is still unfolding in terms of clean water
in the Chattahoochee. This and her many other efforts have paved the way
for other Riverkeeper groups in Georgia, and officials take notice when a
watershed group comes to the table.
Sally Bethea, Executive Director, Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
